Yellow-Bellied Slider Care
Yellow-bellied sliders are popular aquarium fish, but they do better in a dedicated turtle tank with a larger swimming area. The enclosure should also have a high quality UV light, tank heater, and water filter. The filter should be rated to treat three times the volume of your turtle’s tank to prevent ammonia buildup. The tank should also be equipped with a basking light and a place for them to hide under the surface of the water. A few floating plants and submerged plants should complete the setup.
The tank should be a minimum of 110 gallons, but a larger enclosure is recommended for Yellow-Bellied Slider Care sliders. They are diurnal and spend most of their time in the water, but need a large area to roam and explore.
When it comes to food, turtles are omnivores in the wild, and should be fed a balanced diet of vegetables, pellets, and animal protein (especially as hatchlings and juveniles). Pellets that are specifically designed for turtles are the best choice. Baby turtles should be fed two portions of food a day that are the size of their heads. Overfeeding can cause them to become overweight and lead to a condition called shell pyramiding, which is an irreversible disease in which their scutes become misshapen.
A dirty enclosure is a breeding ground for bacteria that can affect the turtle’s breathing, skin, and shell. In addition, algae and fungus can also develop in the water. These conditions can lead to respiratory illness in yellow-bellied sliders. Symptoms include closed and puffy eyes, and they may wheeze or drool. It is important to clean the enclosure regularly to avoid these problems.
It is also important to provide a place for your turtles to dry out and get some sunlight. If they do not have enough dry area, it can lead to a disease known as shell rot. Symptoms of this disease include soft or crumbly shells, and it is possible that the scutes can even fall off. Fortunately, it is easily treatable with antibiotics and Vitamin A.
Turtles require a high level of protein in their diet to grow and develop properly. If your turtle is not getting enough protein from the pellets, you can supplement their diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in protein, including berries, dark leafy greens, and peas. You can also give your pet treats that are high in protein, such as mealworms or crushed crickets, but these should make up only a small percentage of their diet.
It is also a good idea to provide your turtles with a hiding spot or areas where they can retreat to if they are feeling stressed or threatened. These places should be easy for them to access, but be large enough so that they cannot escape or be snatched by predators. Providing your turtles with a hiding spot will also help them regulate their body temperature.