Gresham Pet Supply Pet Care Guide
Red-Eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Why We Love Them: Red-Eared Sliders are the most iconic pet turtle in the world. They are incredibly hardy, interactive, and fun to watch swim. However, they are frequently sold as tiny, quarter-sized babies to people who do not realize they will quickly grow to the size of a dinner plate and require a massive aquarium.
Lifespan
20 to 30+ years
Adult Size
8 to 12 inches
Enclosure
Big tank sized for the adult (ask us)
Warm / Basking
Follow lamp & thermostat labels
Cool Side
Water: follow heater label
Humidity / Water
Aquatic
Species Profile & Temperament
| Trait | Overview |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ponds and slow-moving rivers of the Southern USA |
| Diet Type | Omnivore (Aquatic turtle pellets, greens, fish, insects) |
| Activity | Diurnal (Active during the day, spends hours basking) |
| Temperament | Highly active and incredibly food-motivated. They will beg at the glass when you walk into the room. |
| Handleability | Poor. They have sharp claws, a surprisingly long neck, and a strong bite. They are aquatic animals and get highly stressed when removed from water. |
| Difficulty | 2/5 — Easy (But requires a massive amount of space and heavy-duty filtration) |
| Hardiness | 5/5 — Bulletproof |
Oregon law: Red-eared sliders are a prohibited species in Oregon; never release one. Ask us about rehoming options.
The Salmonella Warning
WASH YOUR HANDS: Turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria, and you can't tell by looking. It can end up in their tank water. You must wash your hands thoroughly with hot soap and water every single time you handle the turtle, touch the water, or clean the filter. Never let young children handle the turtle unsupervised, and never wash turtle equipment in the kitchen sink.
Housing & Aquarium
Tank Size
- Buy for the adult: A slider grows large and lives a long time. More water stays cleaner for longer. Ask our staff to help you choose a tank size.
- Babies: A tank that fits a young turtle is a tank it will outgrow.
- Adults: A very large aquarium or a large indoor pond.
- Water Depth: The water must be deep enough for the turtle to turn itself over if it flips, and the turtle must be able to climb fully out onto the dock.
Filtration (CRITICAL)
- Turtles Are Messy: Turtles produce an incredible amount of solid waste. Standard hang-on-back fish filters will clog instantly.
- Canister Filters: You must use a heavy-duty Canister Filter (like a Fluval FX4 or Zoo Med Turtle Clean) rated above your tank size, not just at it, because turtles dirty water far more than fish do.
The Basking Dock
- Turtles are cold-blooded and must climb completely out of the water to dry off and warm up.
- You must provide a sturdy, floating turtle dock (or a custom-built above-tank basking platform) that is completely dry and large enough for the turtle to stretch its legs out fully.
Heating & Lighting
Temperature Requirements
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Basking Dock Surface | Follow your heat lamp and thermostat labels, and check it with a thermometer |
| Water Temperature | Follow your heater label, and check it with a thermometer |
- Water Heater: Use a submersible aquarium heater. It is highly recommended to use a heater with a plastic guard, as large turtles will smash unprotected glass heaters against the tank walls.
- Basking Heat: Position a halogen heat lamp directly over the dry basking dock, on a thermostat.
Lighting & UVB (CRITICAL)
- UVB: A turtle's shell is made of bone. Without intense UVB light, their shell will become soft and deformed (Metabolic Bone Disease), which is fatal. You must mount a T5 HO UVB bulb (or a mercury vapor bulb) directly over the basking dock. UVB does not penetrate glass or water.
Diet & Nutrition
Sliders are omnivores. Hatchlings are almost entirely carnivorous, but as they age, they shift to a mostly herbivorous diet.
Feeding Location
- In the Water: Sliders eat in the water.
- Pro Tip: To keep the main tank clean, place the turtle in a separate, small plastic tub filled with tank water at feeding time.
The Diet
- Staples: High-quality aquatic turtle pellets (Zoo Med, Mazuri, Omega One).
- Vegetables (For Adults): Daily offerings of dark leafy greens (dandelion greens, red leaf lettuce, collard greens). Avoid iceberg lettuce.
- Protein (Treats): Freeze-dried shrimp, earthworms, or live feeder fish (minnows or guppies). Never feed goldfish or rosy red minnows, as they contain an enzyme (thiaminase) that destroys the turtle's vitamin B1.
What We Use & Recommend
These are products we use and recommend for this species. Stock varies by store, so ask us what we have in store today.
| Category | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Care | Seachem Prime | Essential for removing toxic chlorine from tap water |
| Lighting | Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Lighting Combo | Provides both heat and essential UVB over the dock |
| Diet | Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Pellets | Specifically formulated for different life stages (Hatchling, Growth, Maintenance) |
| Enrichment | Zoo Med Floating Turtle Dock | The easiest way to provide a dry basking spot |
Last updated: 2026-08-04
How We Keep Them at Critter Cabana & Gresham Pet Supply
- Thermostat & Linear UVB Standard: Every heat lamp and aquarium heater in our Newberg and Gresham reptile rooms runs on a thermostat, with UVB directly over the basking dock on a 12-hour day/night timer.
- Shopping at Newberg & Gresham: For enclosures, thermostats, UVB lighting, bioactive supplies, springtails, isopods and feeders at Critter Cabana (Newberg) and Gresham Pet Supply, ask us what we have in store today.
Common Questions (FAQ)
What size tank does an adult Red-Eared Slider actually need?
Buy the tank for the adult turtle, not the baby. A slider grows large and needs a lot of water, a heavy-duty canister filter, and a dry basking dock with a heat lamp and UVB. Ask our staff to help you choose a size.
Where can I get Red-Eared Slider setup supplies, live feeders, and thermostats in Oregon?
Ask us what we have in store today at Critter Cabana in Newberg (514 E First St, 503-537-2887) and Gresham Pet Supply (2185 NW Burnside Rd, 503-665-7606).
Shop supplies for this animal
Everything for your Red-Eared Slider setup, ready for pickup in store or shipped to you.
