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Housing Requirements

To properly care for a Yellow Bellied Slider, you will need to provide an aquarium or enclosure with both aquatic and terrestrial areas. For a single baby or juvenile slider, a 20 to 40 gallon long aquarium is recommended. Two feet by three feet is ideal. As the turtle grows, plan to provide at least 10 gallons of space per inch of shell. A heat lamp, UVB light, and heat pad are necessary to maintain the proper temperature gradient.

Diet

In the wild, Yellow Bellied Sliders are omnivores. Hatchlings should be fed every day, while adults can be fed 2-3 times a week. A diet of commercial pelleted food, along with some protein sources such as worms, feeder fish, and shrimp will keep a slider healthy and happy. Always have fresh, clean water available as well.

Health

With the proper environment and diet, Yellow Bellied Sliders can live 20-40 years. However, they are prone to health issues such as respiratory infections, shell infections, and parasites. Annual checkups with an experienced vet, especially for older turtles, is highly recommended. Always quarantine any new turtles for at least 30 to 90 days before introducing them to other household pets.

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How big do yellow bellied slider turtles get

Size and Growth

As hatchlings, yellow bellied slider turtles are typically around 1 inch in length. However, they are one of the largest species of slider turtles and can grow up to 12 inches as adults. Females, in particular, tend to be slightly larger than males.

These turtles can live 20-40 years, so they are a long-term commitment. Due to their longevity and adult size, it is important to house yellow bellied slider turtles in an appropriately large enclosure. For a single adult turtle, a 40-75 gallon tank or stock tank is recommended. As they grow, you will need to provide a larger basking area and more swimming space.

Yellow bellied slider turtles require a varied and balanced diet to support their growth. Hatchlings should be fed every day, while adults can be fed 2-3 times a week. A quality pellet food should make up about 75% of their diet. The remaining 25% can consist of vegetables like leafy greens, carrots and squash; feeder insects like crickets, worms and shrimp; and occasional fruit. Always provide a calcium and vitamin supplement 1-2 times a week.

With the proper enclosure, heating, lighting, and diet, a well-cared for yellow bellied slider turtle can live a long, healthy and active life. However, they do require a serious long-term commitment to responsible care. Be sure you understand a yellow bellied slider turtle’s needs before getting one as a pet.

Housing and Care Requirements for Yellow Bellied Sliders

To properly care for a Yellow Bellied Slider turtle, there are several housing and care requirements to keep in mind:

Enclosure

Yellow Bellied Sliders require a secure enclosure with adequate space for swimming and basking. An aquarium or commercially available turtle habitat of at least 40-75 gallons is recommended for an adult Yellow Bellied Slider. Include a heat lamp, UVB light, and basking platform for your turtle to emerge from the water. The water temperature should be maintained at 75-80 F. Perform regular partial water changes of about 25% of the volume every week or two to keep the water clean.

Diet

Feed your Yellow Bellied Slider a diet of commercial pellet food as the staple, with occasional treats of earthworms, feeder fish, shrimp, and certain greens like romaine lettuce and kale. For juvenile Yellow Bellied Sliders, feed pellet food 2-3 times per day. For adults, reduce feeding to 2-4 times per week. Do not overfeed, as obesity can be an issue. Remove any uneaten food from the enclosure after a few hours to avoid contamination of the water.

Handling

Yellow Bellied Sliders are generally solitary and do not particularly enjoy frequent handling or interaction. Limit handling to necessary enclosure maintenance and occasional interaction for short periods a few times a week. Be very cautious when handling, as their claws and jaws can deliver painful bites and scratches. Always support the whole body, as dropping a Yellow Bellied Slider can lead to injury.

Health

Take your Yellow Bellied Slider for annual checkups with a vet experienced with reptiles. Watch for signs of illness like lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen eyes, or diarrhea. Maintain proper temperature, UVB and heat lighting, nutrition, and hygiene to support your turtle’s health and longevity. With proper care, Yellow Bellied Sliders can live 30-40 years.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your Yellow Bellied Slider lives a long, healthy and happy life. Be sure to do plenty of research on your own to become well-versed in the specific needs of Yellow Bellied Sliders. Proper housing, diet, handling, and healthcare are essential to responsible turtle ownership.

What to Feed Your New Yellow Bellied Slider Turtle

As a new owner of a yellow bellied slider turtle, it is important to understand their dietary needs to keep them healthy and happy. These turtles are omnivores, so their diet should consist of both plant and animal matter. The specific foods and feeding schedules will depend on the age and size of your turtle.

For hatchling and juvenile yellow bellied slider turtles, a diet high in protein is recommended to support their rapid growth. Feed hatchlings a pelleted commercial turtle food 2-3 times per day. Supplement this with small feeder fish, worms, and chopped vegetables. As your turtle matures, decrease feedings to 2 times per day for adults. For adults, a diet of approximately 60-70% vegetables and 30-40% protein is ideal.

Vegetables

Offer a variety of chopped vegetables such as leafy greens (kale, romaine, etc.), carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes 2-3 times a week. Limit vegetables high in oxalates like spinach which can inhibit calcium absorption. Wash all vegetables thoroughly before feeding.

Protein sources

Commercial pelleted food, feeder fish (such as goldfish or minnows), mealworms, bloodworms, and shrimp can be given 2-3 times a week. Only offer as much food as your turtle can eat in about 5 minutes at each feeding to avoid overfeeding and obesity.

Supplements

In addition to a balanced diet, your yellow bellied slider turtle will need additional supplements to remain healthy:

• Calcium and vitamin powder 2-3 times a week to support bone and shell health. Follow directions on product packaging for dosage.

• A shallow water dish for drinking and soaking. Change water daily and mist your turtle with lukewarm water or give shallow baths a few times a week.

• A heat lamp and UVB light to maintain a warm environment. Yellow bellied slider turtles are cold-blooded and require external heat sources.

• A shallow nesting area with damp soil or sand for females to lay eggs. Provide a suitable nesting area even for pet turtles.

By following these diet and habitat recommendations, your yellow bellied slider turtle can live a long and healthy life as your pet. Be sure to take your turtle for regular checkups with a vet experienced with reptiles.