The red-eared terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) is one of the most popular reptile species as an exotic pet in the last years. Whether due to the practicality of its maintenance, its exotic appearance or the tranquility of its character, the " elegant turtle" (as it is also known) became the animal of company preferred by many children and adults.
Although they are usually very resistant and easy to maintain, they also need specific care to preserve their good he alth. If you are looking for a compact and curious pet, the Animal Expert invites you to discover the red-eared terrapin care
Red-eared Terrapins: Taxonomy
Red-eared sliders are characterized as water turtles, but retain semi-aquatic habits They belong to the order Testidunes, which are characterized by the tough shell that covers its internal organs and from which its limbs emerge. Its genus, Trachemys scripta, encompasses more than 250 species of turtles belonging to the family Emydidae.
Its scientific name is Trachemys scripta elegans, but it is popularly known by multiple denominations. In addition to "red-eared turtle" and "elegant turtle", they are also called " galápagos de Florida", for being native to the southeastern region of the United States and northeastern Mexico. And in some countries, it is known as " Japanese tortoises", thanks to the small stripe and lateral colorings that outline its eyes.
As they demonstrate their high colonizing potential, becoming a serious threat to native species and the balance of the local ecosystem, they entered the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species, approved by Royal Decree 630/2013, dated August 2.
Anatomical characteristics of Trachemys scripta elegans
The shell of a red-eared slider can be as long as 30cm, but the average is 12 to 20cm, resulting in a body weight of around 250 grams Out of the shell, semi-webbed extremities that allow the turtle to swim more easily, and protect itself by quickly retracting them inside.
Its structure is divided into 2 main sections: the upper or dorsal; and the lower or ventral. The dorsal section is the main one and is made up of several bone plates In it, we find a central vertebral shield, which is usually shown more raised; the costal shields on both sides of the central shield; and also a marginal shield, which entirely surrounds the costal shield. The dorsal section, also called the plastron, covers the bottom (or bottom) of the turtle.
Different colors and shades can be seen on the shell of Japanese tortoises, with stripes and spots scattered throughout the shield, which allows them to camouflageIn nature. When they are young, a shade of leaf green usually predominates, and as they age, the shell darkens to shades of olive orbrown The plastron is always very light yellow.
A curiosity about their anatomy is that red-eared slider turtles do not have ears (or tympanic cavities), but have very small that allow them to have good hearing. Its name derives from the reddish spots that are located on the sides of its head, and resemble small red ears.
Sexual dimorphism and life expectancy of the red-eared slider
Red-eared sliders have a remarkable sexual dimorphism, which is revealed only in adulthood. males are smaller than females, have longer claws on their front feet, and its plastron has a concave shape. In addition, the outline of their eyes has a more intense and striking coloration than in females.
The life expectancy of both sexes is calculated between 25 and 40 years, but can be reduced by living in captivity or not have adequate preventive medicine.
Red-eared Slider Terrarium
Japanese tortoises are one of the " cold-blooded" species, that is, they need to use factors from the environment, external to your body, to regulate your body temperature This thermoregulation mechanism is called poikilothermy, and is practiced by most reptiles.
Thanks to this organic feature, Japanese tortoises lead a "semi-aquatic" life. They spend long periods of time in the water, where they feed and hydrate, but they also need contact with the land and its warmth to keep their body temperature stable.
Therefore, when preparing the ideal space for our turtle, we should think of a good-sized water pond, 120 x 60 x 45 cm minimum (according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), to allow you to swim, exercise and strengthen your body. You can find various models in pet stores or make yourself an excellent homemade aquaterrarium for your new pet. We will also need to reserve a dry environment, preferably a garden or patio with dirt and vegetation, where our pet can receive sunlight. Or you can choose to divide your aquaterrarium into two parts: a wet one (like a large pool), and a dry one (where there is an incidence of artificial light from a lamp).
Since they are animals native to warm climates, tropical and subtropical, it is important to pay close attention to the air conditioning of your environment. The ideal temperature for the water in your pond should be kept between 25º and 30ºC To achieve this temperature throughout the year, you can opt for heating systems that are widely used in fish tanks. In addition, it will be necessary to control the ambient temperature of our home during the coldest days of the year, to prevent it from falling below 24ºC.
Feeding a red-eared slider
In their natural habitat, Florida freshwater turtles feed essentially omnivorous, with some variations according to the different stages of their development. During their first 3 years of life, they experience the "first maturation" period, where growth is most intense. Your diet should be rich in animal proteins, to help strengthen your muscles and bone structures. Its main protein sources are small crustaceans and fish, as well as worms and crickets. When this first stage ends, the turtles gradually decrease their protein intake, becoming mostly herbivorous throughout their adult lives.
If we decide to have a red-eared slider as a pet, we must pay close attention to its nutritional needs, and respect this dietary change that is characteristic of its he althy development. You can find pre-made foods at pet stores that carry these turtles. It is a balanced mixture that contains vegetables, proteins (generally from small fish and insects), vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, which is essential for the maintenance of its shell. This is the best option to guarantee the adequate nutritional proportions to preserve the he alth of your pet. But it's also important to include fresh foods in your diet.
In a homemade diet, we can favor fish meat as its main protein source, since it is usually easier to find and keep. But we also recommend offering small worms, which are often sold as bait in grocery stores. fishing. A fundamental fact is that we should never give our turtle cooked or seasoned meat; your body is ready to digest raw protein, in its natural state. Industrialized, s alty and spicy human food can cause serious disorders in your digestive tract.
Already as vegetable sources, we should prefer to offer edible seaweed, which can be found in pet stores specializing in sea turtles, and also in shops that work with ingredients for Japanese food (those classic algae that we use to make sushi). If we buy dried algae, we will have to hydrate them with water before offering them to our turtle.
We can also give lettuce and green leaves (except spinach), but in moderation to avoid an excessive effectlaxative Fruits can already represent only 10% of a red-eared slider's diet, and we should avoid offering them citrus fruits.
Prohibited foods for Trachemys scripta elegans
Here are some foods to avoid:
- Fruits: avoid bananas and citrus; prefer pears, apples, watermelon and melons.
- Vegetables: Avoid spinach, lima beans, mushrooms, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, squash, asparagus, and beets.
- Meats: Avoid high-fat red and white meats.
How to properly feed a red-eared slider?
It is essential to know some eating habits of Japanese tortoises, so that their home life does not represent a risk to their he alth. Here are some tips for feeding your pet correctly:
- Japanese tortoises should only be fed in water, as they do not naturally produce saliva. As they swallow food, they also absorb sips of water that help them swallow their food.
- Food frequency varies according to the stages of development mentioned above. While they are maturing, between their birth and their first 3 years, they should be fed 3 times a day But when they reach adulthood, the frequency should be reduced to just 1 time a day It is important to gradually reduce our turtle's food intake; For this, we can offer you 2 meals a day for 2 weeks, when you reach 3 years of life, and then reduce to just 1 meal.
- It is preferable to offer it its food in a different pond than the one it inhabits, since turtles tend to generate a lot of remains while eating. Thus, we manage to reduce the frequency with which we need to change the water in your aquaterrarium, and avoid contamination.
Preventive medicine for a red-eared terrapin
The main cause of disease in red-eared sliders is poor hygiene of their pond waters. The remains of food, added to the droppings of the turtles, favor the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and different microorganisms in the artificial habitat of our pet. For this reason, the first preventive care to keep your turtle in good he alth is to change the water in its habitat weekly and carry out a reinforced cleaning of the entire pond, at least once every 2 months. You can use warm water and neutral soap to sanitize, avoiding corrosive chemical products. Don't forget that sun exposure is also very important.
Unbalanced feeding also figures among the main pathological causes in turtles. Lack of nutrients weakens their immune system, leaving them vulnerable to various diseases. In addition, the ingestion of toxic or contraindicated foods can cause serious digestive disorders and poisoning. So, again we reinforce the need to take care of your pet's daily diet.
If you notice that your turtle's shell has blanched spots, cracks or appears worn (as if it is losing color), do not hesitate to quickly consult a specialized veterinarian. Most likely, your pet suffers from calcium or vitamin A deficiency, which impairs its bone structure and shell pigmentation, and can also undermine its he alth.
Turtles can also develop asymptomatic ophthalmological, respiratory and digestive problems. For this reason, the care of a red-eared slider must necessarily include regular visits to a veterinary specialist in these animals. Just like a dog or a cat, your tortoise also requires proper preventative medicine to maintain good he alth.
