![]() Pastel red-eared sliders are much lighter in color. Some specimens even have some red on the top of their head as well! It’s what gives the turtle its common name! The patch can stretch several inches behind the head. The most defining trait of the red-eared slider is the patch of red behind the eye. This makes it look more uniform in color from afar. ![]() As the turtle ages, the colors on the carapace darken. You might see shades of white, yellow, or even red. However, the lines are more varied and subtle. The lined skin pattern is distinct and usually gets bolder as the turtle matures. Bright yellow stripes add some beautiful contrast. The skin of this turtle is dark olive green. When kept in the right environment, they’re more than ready to put on a show! Appearance & Colors While somewhat skittish by nature, the red-eared slider is a fantastic pet to own. You can find them occupying warm streams and lakes from New Mexico all the way to Georgia. They have a relatively wide distribution. A red-eared slider does most of its growing in between the ages of 4 and 8 years of age.These turtles are endemic to the southeastern United States. You should know that it can sometimes take 3-4 years for a red-eared slider to reach a length of 4 inches. While this depends on their environment and diet, most red-eared sliders will reach their full growth at around 8 years of age. How long does it take for a red-eared slider to grow? You should also know that it is common for pet red-eared sliders to be a bit smaller and only reach a shell length of 10 inches. Female red-eared sliders actually grow a bit larger than male sliders. Red-eared sliders typically reach a length of 12 inches. If you turtle is younger than you think it is, you might think it is not growing fast enough. This is especially true if the turtle is rescued. Painted turtles are much smaller than red-eared sliders, and usually only reach a length of 6 to 7 inches.Īnother mistake that is not uncommon is for a pet store to have the wrong age of a turtle. Red-eared sliders are commonly mistaken as painted turtles, and vice versa. While it sounds crazy, it is not uncommon for a pet store to misidentify the species of turtles. It is also common for a red-eared slider to chirp when they are sick. When a turtle suffers from a respiratory illness, they might lose their appetite which will certainly stunt their growth. Signs of repiratory illness include discharge from the mouth, nose, and ears. One of the main illnesses in turtles is respiratory illness. Your turtle might also not be growing because they are sick. If your turtle is not able to bask, they might suffer from a vitamin D3 deficiency, which can stunt their growth. This is essential for your turtle to get enough vitamin D3. You should also make sure your red-eared slider has a proper basking set up. You should remember that the temperature of the water should be between 75 and 80 degrees fahrenheight for a red eared slider. A turtle that lives in too small of a tank will experience a lot of stress, which will effect their hormones and ultimately their growth rate.Īdditionally, improper water temperature can also stunt your turtle’s growth. This could be a result of your tank being too small. Environmental factorsĮnvironmental factors are another common reason why your turtle’s growth can be stunted. ![]() If you don’t follow these guidelines, you turtle might not get the proper nutrients and their growth might be stunted. Some other important nutrients for your turtle include calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. If you suspect your turtle isn’t getting enough protein, you should try feeding them this high protein turtle food. The biggest problem I see with pet turtles is that they are not fed enough protein. Your turtle’s diet should consist of around 25% pellets, 25% protein (worms, crickets, fish, etc.), and 50% vegetables. Improper diet is the main reason why red-eared sliders do not grow properly. The main causes are environmental conditions, diet, illness, and misidentification. There are many factors which might be the reason why your red-eared slider is not growing. In today’s article, I will explain everything you need to know about growth stages for a red-eared slider. In particular, many people are worried that their red-eared slider isn’t growing fast enough, or not growing at all. One of the questions I am most frequently asked is in regard to the growth stages of a red eared slider. This is especially true if you get one as a baby, as you can watch them grow into an adult. Getting a red eared slider is very exciting.
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