Class Pet: Red Eared Slider Turtle Preferred Environment: The red eared slider turtle receives its name from the red patch

behind its eye. The red eared slider turtles’ preferred environment is in ponds, marshes,

lakes, and creeks. Red eared sliders are omnivores. They feed on tadpoles, insect

larvae, and other aquatic creatures. Their predators are raccoons, squirrels, wolves and

birds of prey. In their preferred environment, sometimes the females are larger than

males. Red eared slider turtles live in the entire United States.

Preferred Classroom Environment: A turtle can live in an aquarium you just need the

right items for the turtle to be comfortable in the aquarium. First, you need to buy a

20 gallon tank so the turtle has room to swim, eat and sleep. You will also need to buy

sand and keep it in a high level so the turtle can have land in it’s aquarium. Be sure to

buy a small pet keeper like a feeding tank for the turtle and heat light . You should

thoroughly clean the habitat at least once a week. Add clean dechlorinated water to

clean the water. The water temperature should be from 72-77ºF before placing the

turtle into its new home.

Care Information: Red eared slider diet is from goldfish, earthworms and insects like

treats. They need to be fed once a day. They can grow up to 12 inches, which is full

grown. Their full lifespan is 20-40 years if proper care is given. Beware of: Discolor

on skin turning brownish, bumps or spots on skin or shell, or sores and soft shell. Good

signs are: eats regular, swimming healthy, skin with no sores (bumps with red color in the bump). Hard

shell, eyes are clear and no swelling (like injured).

Created By: Viviana, Anisha, Gerardo, and Larry

5th Grade 2015