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Friday, March 12, 2010

Recently inherited my friends red eared sliders...?

The turtles seem to be doing fine but there are a few issues that I still have questions about. The first one is that they are always shedding. There's loose dead skin that's always there. What's going on and how can I fix it? Another issue is concerning their diet. Right now Im just feeding them turtle pellets but I've read that at least 50% of their diet should be vegetable matter. The thing is I've tried various plants but they don't seem to want to eat them. How would i fix this? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Recently inherited my friends red eared sliders...?
Fresh vegetables should always be offered, regardless if your RES shows interest in them. The right combination of vegetables can offer a balance of calcium and vitamins A and K. Aquatic plants are also beneficial, especially since it would be similar to what wild RES consume. Older RES especially should consume more vegetables and aquatic plants. Expect an adult to have a diet that is about 75% plant based. Be aware that there are some vegetables that have a poor calcium / phosphorus ratio and fruits are considered to be a small and rare treat. A lack of vegetables may also cause a Vitamin K deficiency. This shortage disrupts intestinal bacteria and may reveal itself with a bleeding mouth.





Collards and other plants from the Brassica group may also inhibit iodine absorption, resulting in goiters. Though that is not completely proven, they are considered to be acceptable in small amounts. Adding kelp, which is rich in iodine, is believed to counteract any potential effects. A high-purine diet can cause high levels of uric acid. This presence can lead to gout.


Comment: There are several good on-line sources of reference material regarding turtle feeding (see bottom of page) and we encourage you to read them. You will also discover occasional conflicting information in addition to old, uninformed statements. It is your decision on how you want to interpret this content for feeding information. This feeding list and guide will receive regular updates to provide up-to-date recommendations.


Fresh vegetable matter is highly recommended over their frozen counterparts. Although frozen varieties are convenient, they are only acceptable in limited usage. Thiaminase enzymes can develop in frozen greens, which would break down thiamin and result in a Vitamin B1 deficiency.


Greens and Vegetables





Beneficial and recommended (Staple foods)


This is the main volume of an adult slider’s diet. Younger RES should be introduced to these items early, though they may show no interest. A RES could safely receive these on a daily basis. Dandelion leaves


Green Leaf lettuce


Red Leaf lettuce


Turnip greens (leaves only)








Moderate (Limited usage)


In small and occasional use, these vegetables help keep your turtle’s diet varied and balanced. These items have good nutritional value but may be potentially harmful if used in excessive quantities. Carrots


Endives, Escarole, Chicory


Green bean


Kale


Pumpkin


Romaine lettuce


Squash


Sweet potato


Zucchini








Use rarely (Not a staple)


These items have little benefit compared to other options. They may serve as filler material, a “treat”, or to add variety. These should not be offered in an unbalanced diet. They may be potentially harmful if offered in excessive quantities. Limit the amount of collards (Brassica group) offered. Collards (various)


Iceberg lettuce


Mustard greens


Red pepper


Tomato








Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods)


These vegetables provide little or no benefit and can be harmful for RES in excessive quantities and in unbalanced diets. These items are questionable and may contain goitrogenic compounds, large concentrations of oxalic and/or phosphorus. Most of these are part of the Brassica and Chenopodiacea groups. Amaranth


Beet greens


Bok Choi / Bok Choy


Broccoli


Brussel sprouts


Cabbage


Celery


Chard


Chives


Mushroom


Parsley


Peas


Rhubarb


Spinach








Aquatic Plants





Aquatic plants are believed to be a very healthy part of a slider’s diet. This type of vegetation would naturally be available to wild RES and should present little risk. Aquatic plants are not readily available to most keepers and may be prove to be expensive if regularly used. In the effort to offer variety, these are good choices. Amazon Swords


Anacharis*


Duckweed*


Frogbit


Hornwort


Nasturtium


Pondweed


Water Fern*


Water Hyacinth*


Water Lettuce


Water Lily*


Water Milfoil


Water Starwort





*Highly recommended





Fruits





Fruit is not a natural food wild RES would normally encounter and its use should be limited to rare and in very small portions. They are generally high in sugar and can be offered as a treat or to entice eating. Like other plant material, they should be served fresh, raw and thoroughly washed. Seeds and skins should be removed, unless noted. These should only be offered once a month or less. Avoid giving your turtle any forms of nuts, pits or seeds.





Moderate (Limited usage) Cantaloupe / Melon (rind optional)


Mango


Papaya


Prickly pear pads, fruit








Use rarely (Not a staple)Apple (shredded)


Banana


Blackberry


Blueberry


Citrus (various)


Grape


Peach - Nectarine (pits removed)


Pear (various)


Plum - Cherry (pits removed)


Strawberry


Watermelon








Shedding is natural and normal for RES. Shedding skin has a thin, wispy and translucent appearance. Most often it is around the neck and the front and rear limbs. It is very easily visible underwater. Excessive shedding is not normal and is usually the result of water temperatures being too high, high protein diets, inadequate basking and fast growth. It could be a symptom of poor water quality or a developing infection. Proper diet and water conditions should be introduced to help avoid this.





Visit http://www.redearslider.com for more information or the forum...there you can sign up and ask questions about your turtle. http://www.redearslider.com/forum
Reply:Shedding or molting of the skin is a normal occurrence with Shedding (Skin) – Shedding or molting of the skin is a normal occurrence with RES. Excessive shedding may be an indication of high water temperatures or fungal infections.





Shedding (Shell, Scute) – A normal and expected occurrence with RES. They will shed over a period of time. Their appearance begins to lighten or become a golden color (due to an air pocket) and will eventually lift up. Old and injured scutes are the most likely candidates for shedding.


Red Ear Sliders are omnivores who can be fed a variety of foods. This variety is important as it enables you to provide a healthy diet. The range of food can include pellets, aquatic plants, vegetables, insects, fish and treats (shrimp, fruit, etc.) as well as the occasional supplement. While it is important to offer variety, it is also important to offer a balanced and nutritional diet that offers additional calcium and vitamins. As with many captive animals, there is a tendency to overfeed them, causing unnecessary and irreversible health risks.





Younger RES are generally carnivorous. As they grow larger and older, they become increasingly herbivorous. Being carnivorous means a greater protein intake and young RES should take in a greater percentage of protein than older RES. Sliders of all ages will choose live prey or carrion if the opportunity exists, but it should only be provided occasionally. RES should also be supplied additional calcium to help harden the shell and accommodate growth.





The primary diet of a RES should consist of a commercially made pellet, of which there are many types and varieties. With the addition of the appropriate vegetables and calcium, you can provide a balanced diet required for a healthy turtle. It is important to avoid foods that can block calcium absorption. Certain prey, vegetation and treats should be avoided. For example, spinach contains oxalic acid and mealworms have a bad calcium/phosphorus ratio. Either of these can interfere with absorption of calcium. A small portion would not be harmful, but regular and extend use will affect shell and bone development.





RES need to be in water to swallow since they do not produce saliva. They may take food that's on land but will bring it into the water to consume it. Furthermore, feeding a RES in a separate container will create a cleaner tank that will require less frequent cleaning and water changes. Thus, if your turtle cooperates, it would be in a healthier environment and would require less cleaning maintenance.
Reply:KEEP FEEDING THEM THE PELLETS, ALSO BUY SOME DRYED UP SHRIMP, they sale it at pet stores, it comes in a little plastic can,


Do u have them in water, red ear sliders love water, its there home, u can also feed them little guppys if u have them in a tank, thats a good diet,
Reply:I've had a red eared slider for five years. He has always shed for a period of time and then it stops. Also he won't eat vegetables or pellets we have to feed him live worms. What I heard was that when they are young they don't really eat vegetables. As they get older though there diet switches to more of vegetarian diet.



neutral skin tone

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