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Animal care guide

Turtle Care Guide

Trachemys scripta elegans (red-eared slider, as common example)

A pet turtle isn't a starter pet you outgrow in a couple of years — a well-kept red-eared slider can easily outlive the aquarium it started in, and often the household around it too.

Lifespan

20-40+ years with good care

Adult size

Females up to 30cm (12in) shell length; males smaller, roughly 18-23cm

Diet

Omnivorous — commercial turtle pellets, leafy greens, occasional protein

Temperament

Alert and skittish; not a handling pet, better suited to observation

Housing

75+ gallon tank minimum for one adult, with dry basking area

Legal notes

Red-eared sliders are restricted or banned for sale in some provinces as an invasive species — check provincial regulations before buying

Aquatic turtles like the red-eared slider are commonly sold small and cheap, which hides just how large a commitment they become — a full-grown adult needs a large, heavily filtered tank and can live longer than most other household pets, including many dogs and cats. Because red-eared sliders are also considered invasive in parts of Canada, it's worth checking your provincial rules before you commit to one.

Tank & basking setup

  • Provide at least 75-100 gallons of water volume for one adult slider-sized turtle, more for multiple turtles
  • Include a dry basking platform large enough for the turtle to fully leave the water and dry off completely
  • Water depth should generally be at least 1.5-2x the turtle's shell length to allow normal swimming
  • Use a submersible aquarium heater to keep water around 24-27°C (75-80°F)
  • Secure a tight-fitting screen lid — turtles are surprisingly strong climbers and can push out

UVB & heat lamps

  • Provide a UVB bulb over the basking area, replaced every 6-12 months since UVB output degrades before visible light does
  • Add a separate basking heat lamp to keep the dry basking spot around 32-35°C (90-95°F)
  • Run lighting on a consistent 10-12 hour daily cycle to support normal activity and shell health
  • Without adequate UVB, turtles are prone to metabolic bone disease and soft or deformed shells

Filtration & water quality

  • Aquatic turtles are messy — use a filter rated for 2-3x the actual tank volume, or a canister filter
  • Do partial water changes regularly (roughly 25-30% weekly) even with strong filtration
  • Test water periodically for ammonia and nitrite, especially in newly set up tanks
  • Remove uneaten food promptly since it fouls water quickly and drives algae growth

Diet & feeding

  • Feed a base diet of commercial aquatic turtle pellets formulated for the species
  • Supplement with leafy greens (romaine, dandelion greens, aquatic plants) several times a week
  • Offer occasional protein such as feeder fish, cooked chicken, or turtle-safe insects, more often for juveniles
  • Feed juveniles daily to near-daily; reduce adult feeding to every 1-2 days to prevent obesity
  • Feed in the water since turtles need to be submerged to swallow properly

Common problems

  • Shell rot: soft, discoloured, or foul-smelling shell patches often linked to poor water quality — needs prompt vet attention
  • Swollen or closed eyes: frequently tied to vitamin A deficiency or dirty water
  • Metabolic bone disease: soft shell or limb deformities from inadequate UVB or calcium
  • Basking refusal: check that the basking spot is warm enough and easily accessible
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Frequently asked questions

Aquatic species like the red-eared slider commonly live 20-40 years or more in captivity, which is why prospective owners should treat a turtle as a decades-long commitment, not a short-term pet.

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