What does a small red-eared turtle eat. Friend for many years red-eared turtle

For red-eared turtles to feel good, you need to provide them with suitable conditions and proper nutrition.

I want to note right away that individuals of different ages have their own preferences: young pets like food of animal origin more, and the diet of older turtles should consist of 80% vegetation, vegetables and fruits.

Let's take a closer look at how and what to feed red-eared turtle at home.

What is the best time of day to feed a turtle?

Since red-eared turtles are diurnal, they need to be fed in the morning or afternoon. Better in the morning.

How often should red-eared turtles be fed?

Young turtles, under the age of 5 years (up to 10 cm long) are fed daily, once a day. Adult turtles are fed 2-3 times a week.

How to feed red-eared turtles?

As mentioned above, small turtles should be fed mainly animal food (seafood, fish, liver, insects), but plant foods should also be offered periodically. Adult turtles are recommended to add vegetable food (carrots, lettuce, aquatic plants). Perfect option: one day to feed plant foods, the other day - animals. The food should be at room temperature.

What do red-eared turtles eat?

Let's take a closer look at what red-eared turtles eat.

You can give turtles small pieces of meat (beef, chicken, horse meat), pork and lamb are not worth it, it is too fat. The meat must be frozen.

by-products

You can include offal in the diet once a week - heart, liver.

Fish and seafood

Best for turtle sea ​​fish without large bones - cod, hake, sprat. Fatty varieties of fish must first be soaked in water.

You can run live fish into the aquarium - swordtails, guppies, they are also used as food.

They love pets and seafood: shrimp, crab meat, mussels.

From indoor plants you can give peeled cacti and aloe leaves, hibiscus, hyacinth, tradescantia.

From meadow herbs: dandelion, plantain, clover, coltsfoot.

Turtles willingly eat beet leaves, carrots, leaf lettuce, basil, parsley, sprouted wheat, oats.

You can give your pet pieces of pears, apples, plums, peaches, apricots, bananas, melons, tangerines, oranges (only pulp).

From vegetables, you can use as food: cucumber, tomato, white cabbage, broccoli, spinach, zucchini, carrots, beets, radishes, pumpkins, bell peppers.

twigs

Red-eared turtles love to nibble fruit trees.

Do not overfeed your pet: give him a portion of food, wait half an hour and remove the leftovers.

Should I give dry food from the store?

Dry food can act as a supplement to the main food. It can be given once a week.

Is it possible to give eggs, sausage, cheese to aquatic turtles?

It is forbidden. Their body is not adapted to the assimilation of such food.

What can't you feed a turtle? List of foods that should not be given to turtles.

Turtles should not be fed human cooked food. The diet of turtles should be close to natural.

Plants and animal foods that should not be given to the red-eared turtle:
Peas, bean sprouts, rhubarb.
Radish, radish, mustard.
Bones of any fruits, berries, vegetables.
Nuts.
Kashi.
Cheese.
Bread.
Milk.
Cottage cheese.
Boiled or fried food.
Crab sticks.
Squids.

Can turtles be fed gammarus?

Gammarus is an amphipod. It is not poisonous to turtles, and does not contain anything particularly useful. Therefore, it cannot be used as the only food. But you can give once a week, as an alternative to fish, liver and seafood.

Can turtles eat only one type of food?

No, turtles should have a varied diet.

Why is the turtle not eating?

A turtle may not eat if it is cold, stressed, or sick. If you have a turtle for several hours or days, then it just needs time to get used to a new place.

Food spoils the water in the aquarium, how to avoid this?

So that the water in the aquarium does not deteriorate, you can put the turtles in a separate container-dining room with water at 25 degrees, where to feed them. After feeding, turtles need to be transplanted back into the aquarium.

How much to feed a red-eared turtle?

Give as much food as she can eat in 20-30 minutes. Remember this amount and give the same amount each time.

How long can a turtle not eat or drink?

A healthy adult tortoise may not eat for up to two weeks without much health consequences. A young turtle may not eat for up to a week. Therefore, if you need to leave for 5-7 days and there is no one to leave the turtle for, do not worry, nothing bad will happen. You can simply run live fish into the aquarium, add algae to the snails. If she gets hungry, she will find something to eat.

Nutrition Features

The diet of turtles living in captivity can hardly be compared with the variety of food that these reptiles can afford in their natural habitat. It should be noted that very often the diet various kinds turtles does not match, moreover, it happens that reptiles of the same species at different stages of their lives have completely different taste preferences. Here, for example, the same red-eared turtles - their cubs can be called the most real predators, since there is much more food of animal origin in their diet, while adults are almost omnivorous. And now more about what the red-eared turtles eat.

What to feed?

This question is often asked by people who want to have a red-eared turtle as a pet. You can use special food, which many reptiles, including red-eared turtles, eat with pleasure. What to feed a pet if he refuses to eat store food?

The diet of young turtles

Young turtles are fed with fresh fish, preferably low-fat (hake, pollock, cod, thalass, gobies), but it is recommended to keep capelin, sprat, sprat or Baltic herring in hot water within minutes. But do not limit the diet of the animal to fish alone. You can achieve a variety in nutrition by adding bloodworms, gammarus, aquarium snails or even ordinary insects to the menu. Please note that food of exclusively animal origin is shown to young individuals.

Diet of adults

Adult red-eared turtles require a completely different approach. What to feed reptiles more middle age? After the turtle reaches 3-4 years of age, vegetable food is added to its diet. It can be not only algae and nettle or dandelion leaves, but also vegetables and fruits familiar to us: lettuce, apples, pears, cabbage, cucumbers and carrots. The latter, by the way, is better to give to sufficiently large individuals, because not all young red-eared turtles are able to gnaw through its flesh. What to feed a pet if he refuses to eat vitamin-containing bait? In this case, it is recommended to give the turtle some squid or shrimp meat, thinly sliced ​​beef or chicken, or their offal (heart and liver) once or twice a week.

1. Adding directly to the water of an aquaterrarium. The disadvantage of this method is that food not eaten by the pet pollutes the water. How to keep red-eared turtles and their habitat clean, you ask? The main thing is to clean the terrarium from food debris in a timely manner.
2. Feeding the turtle directly in the water or on land with tweezers helps not only control the amount of food consumed by the pet, but also tames the animal to the owner.
3. You can teach animals to eat exclusively on land - on an island of a terrarium, for example, or allocate a special container for this (even an ordinary basin of water will do).

In order for the acquired exotic reptiles to grow healthy and develop well, find out how to feed the red-eared turtle, how to diversify the diet before buying it. It is better to stock up in advance on those products, plants and dry food that are needed.

What to feed the red-eared turtle at home?

Feeding does not cause any particular difficulties, this type of reptile is omnivorous, the main thing is to provide it with a balanced diet, in which up to 70% are animal products. Like most predators, the reptile should also be fed with plant foods, which will help to fill the body with vitamins and microelements. From it, the turtle receives calcium, for the development of a strong and healthy shell. The diet of red-eared turtles living in conditions consists of the following components:

1. animal feed- meat, fish and seafood, insects, snails, worms, caterpillars.
2. vegetable feed- herbs, fruits and berries (seedless), vegetables, mushrooms, aquarium plants.
3. artificial feed- purchased, dry, balanced mixes.

How to feed a red-eared turtle dry food?

Often, reptile owners, thinking about what to feed their red-eared turtles, prefer dry food sold in pet stores in the form of granules, tablets, capsules or flakes made from dried crustaceans. It should be borne in mind that dry food can be used infrequently, adding to the main diet, in the form of a treat.

Having decided to feed the red-eared slider turtle with dry food, you can dilute it with small meat or fish pieces, add algae or other herbal products. Do not accustom your pet to one type of dry food, periodically change its composition and manufacturer, choosing well-known, proven brands. Pay attention to the purpose of dry food, some of its types are used as the main food, some - as an energy supplement, as a preventive measure against rickets or to maintain immunity.

What fish to feed the red-eared turtle?

Quite rightly, some owners raise the question of what kind of fish can be fed to red-eared turtles. Not every variety of fish is suitable for use in the diet of these reptiles. It is better to feed the red-eared turtle with freshwater fish species, they are less fatty, but you can also give the sea one - after soaking it in water and boiling it.

When feeding turtles, give preference to lean meats:

• beef;
• horse meat;
• rabbit meat;
• lean lamb;
• offal.

When asked if it is possible to feed a red-eared turtle with chicken, the answer is unequivocal - you can, especially chicken liver. Giving reptiles a liver once every 7-10 days, you can not worry about a lack of vitamins. Meat varieties should be changed periodically, since the protein content in different types various. It is even better to alternate meat food with fish food, this will eliminate the possibility of rickets.

What vegetables can you feed a red-eared turtle?

Consider what you can feed the red-eared turtle in addition to food, meat and fish. Vegetable crops, especially vegetables, diversify the menu of reptiles. The more diverse you feed the red-eared turtle with vegetables, the more various microelements and vitamins it will receive. The following vegetables are best suited:

• zucchini, eggplant;
• tomatoes;
• carrots and beets;
• Bell pepper;
• cabbage.

When adding vegetables to your red-eared slider's food, don't go overboard with just one species, it's best to use a little bit of everything. Vegetables do not contain protein, therefore they do not contribute to the intensive growth of reptiles, it is better to include them in the diet for grown turtles. Do not feed spoiled, spoiled foods to animals, this will cause them to become upset and poisoned.

Red-eared turtle diet

The diet of red-eared turtles is compiled taking into account the fact that this type of reptile belongs to predators, therefore the main element in their menu is animal food, and vegetable food is used as a supplement in the amount of 25-30% of the total food. When developing a diet, the age of the pet is also taken into account; for the diet of reptiles under one year old, use those foods that have more protein. The nutritious diet is divided into winter and summer, while fresh vegetables can be replaced with frozen foods or dry food.

How often should I feed my red-eared turtle?

A lot of controversy raises the question: how many times a day to feed the red-eared turtle, experts advise based on the age of the reptile, its size and the composition of the diet. Young individuals need one or two meals a day, in some cases additional feeding is necessary, it is better to consult a veterinarian about this. One-two-year-old babies are recommended to be fed every other day, grown-up reptiles, older than two years, gradually transfer to one feeding in two, and often three days. At the same time, keep an eye on the animals, underfeeding is harmful, as is overfeeding.

What should not be fed to the red-eared turtle?

Feeding a red-eared turtle at home is not difficult, you just need to keep in mind that not all foods on your table are acceptable for reptiles. Thus, the issue of feeding turtles with eggs causes controversy among owners, the opinion is divided into those who advise giving only the yolk, and those who do not recommend the use of this product at all. It is not recommended to feed reptiles with bread, bloating occurs from it, appetite disappears, and they have to be put on a starvation diet for several days.

When thinking about what to feed the red-eared turtle, it is very important to understand that from a balanced and proper nutrition, compliance with the feeding regimen depends on the overall health of your pet, the development and condition of the shell. Observing the appetite and behavior of the animal, select a rational complex for it, this will save the domestic reptile from health problems.

The red-eared turtle, sometimes called the yellow-bellied turtle, - the most common among fans of domestic turtles. Today they can be found in almost every pet store, and sometimes just in the market. Cute and small at the time of purchase, the creations evoke a sea of ​​positive emotions, both in children and adults. However, this popularity has a downside: a huge number of domestic red-eared turtles are initially doomed to death or life in conditions that are not suitable for them.

Is everything as simple as it seems at first? Maybe you have already acquired these beautiful creatures or are just about to - the decision is always yours. We will try to help with advice on how to keep, feed and care for them.

Types of red-eared turtles, sizes and features

The red-eared turtle includes three subspecies, which have their own characteristics of morphology (appearance).

The first representative of this species - Trachemys scripta scripta. Its peculiarity lies in the yellow color of the stripes on the muzzle (turning into a large yellow postorbital spot), which are connected at the neck. On the side (costal) shields of the dorsal shell (carapace) there are yellow stripes, and on the front shields of the abdominal shell (plastron) - yellow spots. In size, it reaches up to 27 cm.

The second representative, more familiar to all of us, - Trachemys scripta elegans. Her postorbital spots (resemble a bandage) - red, and they are quite wide. On the costal shields of the carapace there are transverse yellow stripes, and on the plastron - a large spot on each shield. Reaches up to 28 cm in size.

And the third representative, very similar in appearance to Trachemys scripta elegans, - Trachemys scripta troostii. The differences lie in the fact that in this subspecies the postorbital spot is narrower and has a yellow color (sometimes combined with red). On the costal shields of the carapace there are yellow transverse stripes, and on the plastron - a pattern of black spots similar to "eyes", or just small black spots. Reaches up to 21 cm in size.

As we can see, these turtles are far from "dwarf", as sellers in pet stores may claim.

It is also erroneous to believe that red-eared turtles - inhabitants of our regions and Russia as a whole. Red-eared turtles are native to North America, Central America and northern South America, but they also live in Europe and Southeast Asia. The main habitat is shallow water bodies, ponds and rivers with a gentle current or coastal zones.

Common questions for red-eared sliders

How many years do red-eared turtles live?

The life expectancy of red-eared turtles at home with quality care and maintenance is 30-40 years. Therefore, you need to understand that you make a friend for almost a lifetime.

How to distinguish a female from a male red-eared turtle?

Determining the sex of a turtle is difficult. It is better to entrust this matter to a specialist. And for 100% determination, even research methods such as radiography with contrast and probing may be needed. - it will show the presence of hemipenis sacs. However, you can try to do it yourself. For example, according to the length of the claws on the forelimbs: in the male they are much longer and look like extended bayonets. Or by the length of the tail: the male has a longer tail. Also, the male has a notch on the abdominal shell.

Do red-eared turtles hibernate?

Some scientists argue that red-eared turtles hibernate and they need it. However, this process can occur only under certain conditions of detention, which initially prepare the turtle's body for the state of suspended animation (hibernation): a gradual decrease in temperature, a decrease in the length of daylight hours and the amount of food.

The process of bringing the animal out of suspended animation will also be difficult. It is rather difficult to imagine these processes at home. Therefore, it would be more logical not to create difficulties for yourself and not cause unnecessary harm to the health of the turtle.

All three subspecies of turtles - representatives of the semi-aquatic lifestyle. In addition, they are all predators and begin to consume plant foods only at an older age.

They also require certain temperature conditions, modes of illumination and irradiation with ultraviolet spectrum.

Aquaterrarium for red-eared turtles

What is a terrarium? This is a specially equipped place created for keeping reptiles. In this case, we are dealing with an aquaterrarium, since the red-eared turtle needs both land and water. Content in boxes, basins, buckets is categorically not suitable for them!

In addition, we must remember that our turtles should live only in their "house" and in no case should they "walk" around the apartment. In hands, they can only be taken for an extremely small amount of time: during a transplant for feeding or cleaning.

The future size of our turtles indicates that they need enough space to fully grow and develop. But this does not mean at all that you can launch small turtles immediately into a large aquaterrarium. Every age - your "house", according to size.

The terrarium for the red-eared turtle should be of the horizontal type (rectangular in length). Adult pets require "homes" with a volume of at least 150 liters, and babies - about 50 l. Ordinary small turtles, which are sold in pet stores, can also be suitable for very little ones.

As for the location of the aquaterrarium in the apartment, a more suitable place is in the back of the room. In the autumn-winter period in the room where your turtle is kept, it is better not to open the windows, in order to avoid a cold draft. Yes, it is deadly for your cold-blooded pets, as a “cold” can cause a disease such as pneumonia, which becomes clearly visible when the turtle is already fully ill.

Aquaterrarium equipment

What should be mandatory in every aquaterrarium: a thermometer to control the water temperature, a shore, a water heater and a water filter.

The presence of algae and stones is not necessary, and sometimes contraindicated. Some types of algae are toxic and stones can be swallowed and cause blockages in the esophagus or intestines; in addition, they complicate cleaning. But if you still decide to decorate your terrarium in this way, then remember that the size of the stones should not be less than the head of a turtle, the stones themselves should not crumble and be multi-colored (when heated, they can release toxic substances). It is better to select algae after a preliminary consultation with a specialist.

Coastal part of the aquaterrarium

Why does an aquaterrarium need a shore? Turtles - cold-blooded animals that are not able to create heat with their own bodies, as we mammals do. In nature, turtles come ashore to warm themselves and take a break from swimming, the same must be done for them at home.

Land should not occupy more than 1/3 of the aquaterrarium. The angle of rise out of the water should not be too obtuse or straight. It must be sharp and motionless so that the exit from the water does not “run away” from the turtle.
The shore itself must be made of a sufficiently durable material, without the presence of easily leaving paint and odorless.

Lighting

Two types of lighting will be required: one for heating, the other - ultraviolet.

These two types of exposure will only have the following in common:

1. Both lamps must be installed above the shore.
2. The distance to the shore should not be less than 30 cm.
3. Both lamps should burn for about 12 hours.

Now let's talk about each type separately.

UV lamp for red-eared turtles

In the case of reptiles, only special lamps are used that are suitable only for them. Each such lamp has its own percentage of emitted ultraviolet (UVB): 2% (2.0), 5% (5.0) and 10% (10.0). Turtles are suitable lamps 5% (5.0).

What is it for, you ask? If you do not go into the specifics of the physiology of the metabolism of reptiles, then without ultraviolet radiation, calcium will not be fully absorbed and the gastrointestinal tract will not work, which will lead to quite dangerous and serious diseases in both adults and small turtles.

thermal lighting

For this type of lighting, conventional 60 W incandescent lamps are suitable. This type is required so that your turtles do not freeze while out of the water and can warm up normally for the full functioning of their body.

Water in the aquarium

This is one of those points that should not be ignored in any case, since it is in this environment that healthy turtles spend most of their time.

For our pets, filtered or settled water for at least a day is suitable. If the water was first filtered and then settled - you are a very good host. In this case, we are engaged in the prevention of many diseases of the shell and skin.

Water temperature in an aquarium for red-eared turtles

To create comfortable living conditions for our reptiles, it will be necessary to maintain certain temperature conditions!

The water temperature should be in the range of 22-25 0 C. It can be maintained either with the help of special heating mats (provided that the dimensions of the aquaterrarium are small enough), or water heaters that can be set to a suitable temperature. To constantly monitor the temperature, you will need a special thermometer, which must be installed in the water. In addition, it must be protected from the curiosity of our pets, as they can damage it, which will lead to hazardous substances entering the water and poisoning the body.

We maintain the temperature of the shore with a heating lamp. You can control it by adjusting the height of the lamp.
Normally, the temperature of the coast should be in the range of 30-32 0 С.

What do red-eared turtles eat?

Feeding - a very important part of the life of our pets. It is with food that they get all the necessary nutrients.

Remember: feed the turtles the same that we eat, - it is forbidden!

Remember: red-eared turtles - predators and plant food in their diet should appear only in adulthood.

Not suitable as feed: meat, semi-finished meat products (minced meat, sausages, sausages), chicken meat, fatty fish, salted fish, fried, sweet and salty, ready-made dry food.

What to feed red-eared turtles at home, you ask? Let's discuss this now.
As an easy way to feed the turtles, they can be kept with fish, which they will catch and eat, getting all the nutrients they need.

If this option does not suit you, then we adhere to the following diet, which you want to combine: beef liver (heart and liver), fish, insects (worms, crickets without legs, adjustable cockroaches without legs), daphnia, not dry gammarus.

What fish to feed the red-eared turtle?

As plant food for adult turtles, algae (water hyacinth, hornwort, duckweed, etc.) and plants (dandelion, carrot, lettuce) are suitable.

The serving size should be about half the carapace (back shell) of the turtle. But know that if she refuses to eat, then the portion size needs to be reduced, and feeding for this particular time needs to be stopped. The size of one piece should be half the size of the head and should be 1/3 of the thickness of the head.

As for the frequency of feeding, small turtles up to 7-9 cm in a carapace are fed once a day. Larger ones need to be fed less frequently. - once every other day.

Along with the food, you can give special vitamin supplements that are suitable only for reptiles, this will provide them with a complete diet.
But remember that for each age and gender group, the frequency and amount of feeding is different, so it is better to consult a specialist before giving.

To less pollute the aquaterrarium, the turtle can be fed in a specially equipped jig (if you feed it not alive aquarium fish). The kennel in this case should be of a suitable size: so that the pet can turn around and move freely in it.

Cleaning

The most annoying and difficult thing to do. During harvesting, the turtle should be transferred to a specially equipped jig (the jig for feeding and temporary keeping at the time of harvesting can be one).

Cleaning is done once a week. In our case, a complete treatment from algae and bacteria with the help of antiseptics is required, followed by washing under running water. Chlorhexidine, sold at any pharmacy, is suitable as an antiseptic, or you can use a mild soapy solution. During cleaning, do not forget to carefully process each wall and all corners of the aquaterrarium.

Remember, as long as the aquarium is cleaned thoroughly every week, the likelihood of skin problems for your turtle will be very, very low.

Epilogue

This article discusses general rules maintenance of red-eared turtles, which are suitable for all three subspecies.

Before you get a turtle, weigh the pros and cons well and see if you can provide necessary conditions keeping your pet healthy and not in need of veterinary care.

Remember: it is always cheaper and easier to properly maintain an exotic pet than to treat diseases that can be extremely dangerous in reptiles, in particular turtles.

The red-eared tortoise is considered a long-liver. Such a pet is suitable for responsible people who want to find a friend for many years. Proper maintenance of the red-eared turtle at home is a guarantee that the animal will be healthy. Before buying, it is important to prepare the aquarium in advance, learn everything about leaving feeding.

Description of the breed

First of all, it is worth talking about what this turtle is. She lives not only in home aquariums, but also in wildlife. Red-eared turtles live in the United States and some European countries. They are also found in Australia, but the locals do not like them, as these animals crowd out the local fauna. Turtles are also seen in Rostov-on-Don and in the Krasnodar Territory.

They are freshwater, live in small water bodies and love swampy shores.

How big do red-eared turtles grow? The size of the shell of an adult is 18–30 cm. It depends not only on the age and subspecies of the reptile, but also on gender. Females are larger than males. The color of the shell changes. In young animals it is green, in adults it is brown with yellow patterns. The head, neck and paws are also decorated with yellow stripes. These turtles have elongated red spots near the eyes, which is why they are called red-eared.

Are these reptiles highly intelligent? Yes, they are very smart. The turtle feels the vibrations of the soil very well. She can hear that the enemy is approaching her, and hide in time. The turtle reacts very quickly when it comes to saving its life. She has a keen sense of smell. The vocal cords of this reptile are poorly developed, so the aquarium turtle at home will not bother the owner with loud sounds. In moments of stress, the turtle hisses or squeaks briefly. Her eyesight is as sharp as her sense of smell.

When a reptile is looking for food, first of all, it pays attention not to the smell and taste, but to the color of the food.

The turtle is inactive when it is not in danger, but even on land it is able to move quickly if it is necessary to run away from enemies. She cannot live without water, but loves to be on the beach and bask in the sun. In search of food, the reptile also moves slowly and measuredly.

Is this turtle dangerous? She has no teeth, but has strong jaws. In wildlife, a reptile is able to injure the offender. She knows how to stretch her head, so the red-eared turtles at home should not be brought too close to the face. Frightened, she may start biting. It is worth being afraid of claws. They are long and sharp, so it is important to know how to properly remove the pet from the aquarium. This must be done very carefully. You can not squeeze the shell and paws.

How many years does a red-eared turtle live? These reptiles live up to 40 years. There are several factors that affect how long a red-eared turtle will live: care and maintenance, food, environment. Like any pet, she needs a caring and attentive owner. Knowing how long red-eared turtles live, you can understand why they are so popular. Such a pet will please the owner and his family for a very long time.

reproduction

Those who are interested in breeding red-eared turtles should first of all know how to distinguish a female from a male. While the reptiles are still small in size, this is impossible. Differences appear gradually. The easiest way to determine the sex is by comparing several individuals of the same age. Knowing the description of the red-eared turtle, it is easy to find the differences. It is worth looking at the size of the animal. Females are always noticeably larger than males. Males also have longer claws on their front paws. They are needed in order to firmly hold on to the female. His tail is thicker, and the spots on his head are brighter. You also need to look at the bottom of the case. In males it is concave, in females it is flat. To breed these reptiles at home, it is important to know these differences. They are clearly visible on adults.

By the age of 6, turtles grow up and reach sexual maturity.

In captivity, this may happen earlier. The male begins to pay attention to the female. He swims in front of her and gently strokes her muzzle with his long front claws. The female can either accept courtship, or drive away the gentleman. In nature, red-eared turtles breed from March to July, but at home they can do this at any time of the year.

The behavior of a pregnant turtle changes markedly. She spends a lot of time in the sun. Pregnancy lasts 2 months. For the last 2 weeks, the reptile has been looking for the perfect nesting site. The red-eared female consumes a large amount of food during this period. Her eating habits may change. In such a situation, it is necessary to adjust the diet. You need to feed the red-eared turtle with those foods that she eats with pleasure. Good nutrition is a guarantee that young animals will be healthy. After laying eggs, the female leaves, and after 100–150 days, the babies hatch. It is important to note that the sex of these reptiles depends on temperature. If it is above 29°C, newborn turtles will be females, if below 27°C - males. It is necessary to regulate the temperature in the aquarium for red-eared turtles when breeding them.

After hatching, you can see the egg tooth on the face of the reptile. It is needed in order to break through the shell. Babies have special bags on their stomachs that contain food debris. Both the tooth and the sac soon fall off.

It is important to note that this reptile is comfortable when not breeding.

You can buy only a female or a male. Loneliness will not affect the well-being or behavior of the pet.

Red-eared turtle: how to care for it? What kind of dwelling should be arranged for her so that she feels at home as comfortable as in wildlife? important proper care for the red-eared turtle at home. For long and happy life she needs dry. It is a mistake to assume that the presence of water in the aquarium is a guarantee that the reptile will be healthy. To make a shore, you need to take rubble or soil. The surface should not scratch the turtle, but it should not be slippery either.

The animal must be able to get out on land without problems.

Which aquarium is suitable for the red-eared turtle? Its volume must be at least 100 liters. In nature, these reptiles love to bask in the sun, so there should be a lamp in the aquarium for red-eared turtles above land. It is important to monitor the temperature: if it falls below 20 ° C, a heat-loving animal may catch a cold.

Many pets need to trim their nails, but this cannot be done with a turtle. The fact is that she has blood vessels inside the claw, so attempts to trim the claws can result in serious injuries or even death of the pet. It is important to follow this rule so that the animal does not suffer.

The turtle needs a spacious aquarium with warm water and cozy beach.

Handle your pet with care. In fact, the shell of reptiles is very sensitive. If the owner knows how to care for the red-eared turtle, she will always be happy with life.

Feeding

Proper nutrition is the key to your pet's health and beauty. The diet should be varied, and all food should be fresh and of high quality. What do red-eared turtles eat when they live in wild nature? Their habitat is small bodies of water, so they feed on what they find there. If you ask any passer-by what the red-eared reptile eats, he will answer that it is algae. In fact, turtles feed mainly on meat and fish. They catch:

• small crustaceans;
• snails;
• tadpoles.

These reptiles can also eat insects and worms. They have good eyesight and a sensitive sense of smell, so they can easily find food. This is how red-eared turtles are fed in the wild.

To make your pet feel in the aquarium as if he were in wildlife, you can buy worms and snails for him in the store.

What do they feed red-eared turtles at home? They need fish. It must be given directly with the bones. The reptile knows how to digest them and will not choke. Bones are necessary so that the shell is strong and the animal does not suffer from rickets. She tears the fish with her paws with the help of her sharp claws. When discussing the feeding of the red-eared turtle, it is important to note that you should not give them only meat. Like any pet, these reptiles need a varied healthy diet. Both algae and plants from the shore will do. For example, dandelion or plantain. You can give raw vegetables. You don’t need to cut them, the reptile can handle itself by using its claws.

We must not forget that aquarium turtles need vitamins.

They can be bought at the store and given with food.

Having discussed what the red-eared turtles are fed, we need to talk about how often this should be done. Young animals need primarily animal food. In order for the little turtle to grow up healthy, it is best to feed it 2 times a day. Gradually, plants and vegetables should be added to the diet. Adult red-eared turtles eat much less often. They need 2-3 meals a week. Food should always be given at the same time.

Is it necessary to feed the reptile directly in the aquarium? No, clean water is important for keeping a red-eared turtle, and during feeding, the reptile will pull food into the water, even if it is placed on the shore. This will cause leftover food to rot and cause disease in the red-eared turtles. It is necessary to prepare a small basin and put the reptile in it for the time of feeding. The water will stay clear and the red-eared sliders will do better in the tank.

Health problems

Knowing how many years red-eared reptiles live, it can be assumed that they practically do not get sick. In fact, the red-eared turtle also requires a timely examination by a veterinarian - diseases can kill it. The state of health and life expectancy is primarily influenced by nutrition and maintenance. A varied diet, constant access to water and land, a suitable temperature - this is what a reptile needs. In nature, she can eat and take care of herself on her own, but at home, the owner must be responsible for the health of the pet.

Knowing what they feed red-eared turtles, you can guess that calcium is vital for them.

Otherwise, the reptile will suffer from rickets. From a lack of vitamins, the shell will become soft and begin to take on a domed shape. The animal will be lethargic. It is very important to watch what reptiles eat. Turtles that lack ultraviolet radiation also suffer from this ailment. It is necessary to put the aquarium so that the rays of the sun fall on it during the day, otherwise even properly fed turtles can get rickets.

What other ailments do these reptiles suffer from? Often they get pneumonia if the ambient temperature is lower than necessary. In order for the treatment of red-eared turtles for pneumonia to be effective, first of all, you need to take care of the temperature. During the period of illness, it is important to keep the reptile in an aquarium with a temperature of at least 28 ° C. A hot solution of chamomile will also help in the treatment. It is necessary to carefully hold the pet over the steam. It should be warm, but not scalding. How to recognize pneumonia in a turtle? It shows up in many ways. A sick turtle becomes lethargic, unable to dive. It is necessary to ensure that the reptile eats willingly and regularly. If a pet has pneumonia, he will refuse to eat.

Almost all pets can run around the owner's apartment without any problems, but not red-eared turtles: the maintenance of these reptiles requires the presence of an aquarium in which they will be almost constantly. While walking around the house, the turtle can catch pneumonia. To do this, it is enough for her to be in a draft just once.

Skin problems may occur.

To prevent this from happening, you need to properly care for the turtle. Peeling can occur if the pet lacks vitamins or spends too much time without water. The turtle should not be on land for more than 40 minutes. The age of the animal also plays a role. To avoid skin problems, you need to give your pet vitamin supplements.

What other diseases are there? Inflammation of the eyes and eyelids. This disease is contagious. During the treatment period, the reptile must be on dry land. When discussing the care of turtles, it is important to note that the animal should be taken to the veterinarian if it behaves unusually. There may be a need for medical treatment.

Who do they get along with

It is also important to talk about whether it is possible to start several such reptiles of the same sex at the same time. It is better not to do this, because males do not get along well with each other. They will divide the territory and fight.

You can not plant small fish, crabs, snails to the turtle.

The reptile will see food in them, so it will very quickly remain the sole mistress of the aquarium. With whom, then, does the turtle get along well? An adult ampoule snail is suitable as a neighbor. Who else can be hooked to a reptile? Turtles of different sexes get along normally, but in such a situation, one must not forget that these reptiles actively breed in captivity, so after a while it will be necessary to attach the young to good hands.

At first glance, it may seem that such a pet does not require special attention, but the reality is different.

Do not buy this reptile for a small child. Maintenance and care can quickly bore him.

The tortoise is by nature rather calm and slow, it is impossible to play with it and it is not always interesting to watch it. In addition, she quickly grows from a cute baby into an adult, which is hard to believe, knowing how long such a reptile lives.

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