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).