Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
Last night my dad and I were walking the mall, when we saw a new little stand. (Like the lotions stands, or cell phone stands, etc). This one was carrying little red-eared sliders. Now, I used to work at a petsmart, so I know that it's illegal to sell them when their under 4 inches in length. But they're so cute, I had to go look.

Now, being a former Petsmart employee, I know the basic care of these guys. (I wasn't there for that long). I know for a fact these guys were in a terrible habitat- 100 of them were crammed into a ten gallon tank with a turtle dock, and luckily a filter. Times that by three tanks. Now, behind the tanks, are critter keepers, medium sized ones. There had to have been 100 in each of them, with no dock, no filter, no way to get out of the deep water. The water was murky, and who knows how many were actually already drowned.

So my dad and I purchased two- the smallest and the biggest. But to get to my point... I have them in a ten gallon tank with about three inch deep water, a beach-like setting made from gravel, hiding spots and fake plants in the water and on the "shore". But I have them in with a little southern leopard frog, whom I've had since he was a tadpole. The frog is quick, and only about an inch long, so I'm not afraid of him being hurt. And the water is completely changed out once a week, and the gravel thoroughly washed, so it never gets too icky.

I have a UVB light on them, but no basking. They seem to be happy and are eating, swimming, climbing on shore, and sleeping well. They respond well to the UV light, and don't seem to mind when Comet lays on their shells.

So what I'm asking is, will they be okay in there until they start to grow? Have I helped their lives, or just lessened the crowding? I intend on purchasing a larger tank when they begin growing.

Please reply through the forum, or if you'd prefer, shopunke@yahoo.com.

... Pip, the smaller one, tends to keep one of his hind legs withdrawn inside him when he's in the water. It's usually his left but sometimes his right. Even when he swims around he'll sometimes keep it inside his shell until he moves more vigorously. Is he hurt? =(

They'll be OK in the 10g for a little while. However, you really should ditch the gravel. For some reasons turtles like to eat gravel and it can cause a fatal impaction. Also, it's not a good idea to keep different species together so I would definately seperate them and the frog ASAP.

As to the little one's leg, it might just be a quirk he has but it would be a good idea to have both of them checked by vet. If nothing else, you want them checked for parasites.

The problem with buying from those types of places is that while you're helping the ones you buy, it is just giving them more business. A report to your state wildlife office might work since they are breaking federal law by selling hatchlings.

I intended on reporting them tomorrow morning, considering no one really answers their phone on sundays.

The gravel, I forgot to mention, is very large. I had to get large gravel for the frog, since they are prone to impaction (as is any animal on that sort of ground, I suppose) Frankly, it's bigger than each turtle's head.

I guess I'll go out to the store today and find a new thing for Comet... Or maybe the turtles, since that's been Comet's home since he was a tad.

I understand that buying them just gave them the business they want, but they're underestimating the power of a concerned owner. Their butts will be in big trouble.

Thanks for the advice, and as soon as I get a few paychecks in I'll try to take them to a vet.

Also, do I need to heat the water somehow? I don't want them to get cold.

PHL was right about buying from that guy, but I know it's hard to watch those poor little guys and not do anything! Like the saying goes, you may not be able to make all the difference in the world, but for the two you saved, you made all the difference in theirs.
To answer your question, the turts need a heater. The water should stay around 78-80 degrees. If they get too cold, they're susceptible to respiratory infections.
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2.1.0 water dragons, 2.2 crested geckos, 0.0.3 turtles, 1.0.0 5-line skink, 2.0.0 anoles, 0.0.1 giant millipede, 1.0.0 uromastyx, 1.0.0 armadillo lizard, 1.0.0 veiled chameleon, 1.1.0 bearded dragons, 1.0.0 pictus gecko, 1.1.0 CA banded gecko, 1.0.0 Hondo, 1.1.0 corns, 1.0.0 dog, 1.1.0 cats, 0.1.0 wife, 2 SW tanks - 20H, 55

Great on the reporting. Please let us know if you get anywhere. Very good on the large gravel.

You can house the turtles in a large Rubbermaid type storage container. I know several people how do that. It's not as pretty but it's functional. You want an aquatic heater that's sold for fish. Also,you'll want a filter, canisters tend to work best for turtles. UVB light is essential. Since it's summertime you can take them outside for real sunlight but you should get one eventually. You can get a cheapy fixture at any hardware store for about $10 but the light itself MUST state UVB on it and will run about $35. While at the hardware store pick up something to make a basking platform. It doesn't have to be fance, just something they can use to get out of the water and not scrape their shells. I use an inverted closet organizer basket for mine.

Some sites for you:
www.chelonia.org/Articles/trachemyscare.htm
www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
hometown.aol.com/Mite37/AquaticTurtles.htm
hometown.aol.com/MMcart3475/chefood.html

(I hope the AOL sites work because they're both very good)

I agree about reporting them. This year I have seen hundreds of tiny baby turtles being sold in Miami area a lone.
One night club was actually giving them away as some type silly prize(ofcourse I reported them but nothing gets done).

My RES is from one of those very same kiosks that I came across in a mall when I was on vacation in Florida last summer. I fell in love with one of them so much that I brought her home with me! At that time she was a little bigger than a quarter, and in just a year she has nearly quadrupled in size!! I have had a few problems with her shell pyramiding, because she refused to eat leafy greens for a long long time. So it's really really important to keep lettuce in the tank so your RES can get used to snacking on it. Earthworms are a really great treat too, and very nutritious, as well as a fun game to play with!

Just a note that lettuce has basically no nutritional value but it is something that they can nibble on to get the taste for greens. Better greens would be collards, dandelions, endive, things like that. However, juveniles are much more carniverous then adults so don't worry too much if your little one's not interested in greens.

Oh, another VERY good green would be the plants that are sold for aquariums. Anacharis is often a big hit with turtles.

What I meant by lettuce was in fact the collard greens, endives, etc. I should have been more clear. What I buy for my turtle is a box of "spring greens" that I just refer to as lettuce cause it's leafy and lettucey. I had no idea that turtles would eat anacharis! I have a bunch of that crap in my 30 gal. aquarium and I can't stand it. I should just give it to her instead

I know what that Spring Mix is. If my fussy turtles would eat it I would buy it for them.

Good job, and your heart was definitely in the right place. Sadly, red ear sliders are being bred out of control for the sole purpose of making money. The ones that are not sold are usually cruely 'discarded' of (i.e. They are stuck into a freezer, and alot of people think this is okay, thinking that they peacefully slip into a sleep...what morons!) The truth is, it's cruel! I don't care how many RES are roaming the planet, they are all lives and deserve to be treated as such. Some people may not agree with what I am about to say, but you did the right thing in my opinion. Another poster said something along the lines of "it's impossible to make all the difference in the world, but to the two that you saved, it made all the difference in theirs." That is so right on!

In some cases however, buying the animals only contributes to more suffering. This goes for the turtles that are being 'harvested' from the wild, like diamondbacks.

What's right and what's wrong is a very controversial matter where the 'turtle trade' is concerned. Again, I think you did the right thing, if I were in your shoes, I would have made the same decision. Best of luck with your little guys! ~Christy~

Thank you for all of the positive feedback, and the constructive criticism. They're doing very well, and during my next trip to petsmart I'm going to buy them a piece of anarchis. Seemed to be the popular choice among customers.