Hiding for your turtles

Though a cave for your red eared slider is not necessary, it puts lets stress on the chelonian and benifits it’s mental health. A hiding area will give your red eared slider a natural sence of security. Whenever it is frightened, it has a safe place to retreat under the water. Caves can be made out of something simple like a flower vause, pottery, and other household contraptions. Remember not to make the cave unstable!!! You do not want the turtle to get stuck or the whole thing collapsing. Make the hiding area of a solid material. This will cause you less stress and your turtle. (more…)

 

Vitamins for turtles

A good healthy diet with plenty of variety is all you need. I recommend Reptomin turtle pellets, romaine lettuce, feeder fish, apple, beefheart & shrimp. This is a recipe for great turtle health. You can also buy vitamin suppliments in a powder form, such as reptical reptile vitamins. This is a powder in which you sprinkle over your food. Other than that, vitamins are not needed.
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Substrate. Yes or No?

Substrate is a very touchy subject when it comes to chelonians. I have read many articles, and have spoken to keepers regarding substrate for red eared sliders. First and foremost there is gravel! the person at the local pet shop will say ” this is great for your turtle”, but is it? The answer is no! gravel is small and most red eared sliders love eating it. Eating gravel can cause a blockage in the intestines and Prolapse (see Illnesses) which can result in death. I recommend medium sized river rocks. You can buy a 50 pound bag for 15 bucks at your local greenhouse. These rocks are colorful, and impossible to swallow. It will also bring a more natural look to your aquarium. Another thing you can do is have no substrate. This makes cleaning your turtle tank very easy and it also leaves nowhere for bacteria to grow. Many keepers prefer this method over substrate. They also tend to put more wood, live plants, and other decorations to make up for no substrate.
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Incubators for turtles

Lyon Electric Company

RL1 Reptile Incubator

RL1 Reptile Incubator

The RL1 Reptile Incubator was designed and manufactured with the serious herpetologist in mind, with the engineering and quality that has distinguished Lyon’s products over the years.

Clear acrylic construction assures excellent visibility of developing eggs. The RL1, as well as our other herpetological and bird incubators, are built with time tested, proven components and engineering which help to achieve and maintain a stable incubation environment eliminating the risk of outside drafts. (more…)

 

Aquarium Heaters for turtles

Tronic cheaters onsistently achieve and maintain desired water temperature by means of its patented Thermal Sensor. Unlike other heaters Tronics state of the art sensor has NO moving components to stick or corrode. Tronic’s sensor rests on the glass of the heater tube allowing accurate temperature reading which is transmitted to Tronic’s advanced control circitry. Tronic is fully submersible and may be placed anywhere in the aquarium. When removed from water the patented Thermal Sensor triggers Tronic’s Automatic Safety Shut-Off. You can also buy a “Heater Guard” which will prevent the turtle from biting or cracking it with it’s shell.
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Lighting for turtles

WHAT REPTILES REQUIRE UVB LIGHTING?
Mainly lizards, turtles, tortoises and crocodilians. Snakes derive their vitamin D3 from the livers of the animals they eat (mice, rats, etc.). Snakes and amphibians, however, will benefit from UVA lighting. Green Iguanas will start to show signs of metabolic bone disease at 6 months of age if not exposed UVB light. A rubber jaw, shaking and non-use of hind legs are signs of metabolic bone disease. (more…)

 

Turtles need good clean water!

Turtles need good clean water to prevent health issues from occuring. Their are 5 important things to water Quaility which are: Filtration, Ammonia levels, PH levels, Nitrates and Nitrites. Although Turtles do not breath through there skin or have gills, they still need the proper water quaility to ensure good health and less parasites. (more…)

 

Diet of Red Eared Sliders

What to feed, how often, how much… Common questions that come from both new and experienced turtle owners. The reality is- We don’t have all the answers. Many of the answers are controversial, and no one knows for sure the exact answers. What we can provide is advice- safe foods, foods to avoid, what works for us. (more…)

 

Habitat of Red Eared Sliders. Getting Started

So you finally have a turtle! Congratulations , lets start with the basics for the little guy. Tank and supplies. Below is a list of them which you will need to make your red eared sliders living area good and secure. (more…)

 

Illnesses of Red Eared Sliders

Whether the cost of your Red eared Slider was small or large, you should try to provide the best care that you can give the turtle. When providing it with a suitable aquarium, cleanliness, healthy diet, and a warm stress free environment you can minimize a huge potential of health problems they can develop. As you would with any other pet, find a veterinarian who is qualified to offer care and treatment of a chelonian. From reading literature and from personal experience, here is some of the common illnesses and medications which you can use if your chelonian becomes ill. Feel free to bookmark this page or print some copies for further reference. (more…)