My basic info
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
I am a young adult female aquatic Yellowbellied Slider turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta) near Baltimore, MD, but transpot is available to York, PA. I'm about 5-6" long, and kind of young for a turtle. I eat Mazuri, Reptomin, and Zoo Med turtle pellets and other brands of pellets, dark leafy greens, and thin slices of sweet potato. I'd really like a 55 gallon aquarium, or 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank (larger is always nice, though), with a good external canister filter. I'm for adoption because my person had a heart transplant and can't keep me.
My picture was taken when I was on display at a pet expo, and I was in a TEMPORARY 10 gallon display tank.
Sliders can live for 20-60 yrs, and can grow to be 5-8" for males, and 8-11" for females. They need large indoor aquariums or ponds, a basking spot, and water filtration. Indoor ponds and aquariums require a haul-out spot, a.k.a. basking spot, a heat light over a basking spot, a UVB light over the basking spot, a high-powered filter, and usually a water heater. Outdoor ponds must be in an escape-proof yard or the pond itself must be escape-proof. If you have a backyard pond, the turtle can't go outside for the first time until May, but can live year-round outside after that. Babies shouldn't go outside until they're about 3", so they don't become bird food. If using an aquarium, a good rule of thumb is at least 10 gallons per inch of turtle (straight carapace length). So, a 6" turtle will need at least a 55 gallon aquarium.
For ideas on how to prepare an aquarium or pond, visit www.turtleforum.com to chat with other keepers. Review the slider care sheet to learn more about caring for a slider. http://nebula.wsimg.com/ae4cb36565545a257b1ff6f17a885dc2?AccessKeyId=A3E784782F81D21389AD&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
You can also get the book Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) at most Petco stores.
You can learn more about caring for an aquatic turtle at www.matts-turtles.org or www.turtleforum.com
REQUEST AN ADOPTION APPLICATION from matts_adoptions@hotmail.com. Please include your city and state when contacting MATTS. An application will be e-mailed to you. Once completed, the application can be returned, and if approved, you'll then have to submit pictures of your set-up before picking up a turtle.
PLEASE HELP OTHER TURTLES by spreading the word - baby turtles grow into big turtles! They do not stay small - they do not grow to the size of their enclosure! Please don't buy hatchling turtles at vacation tourist spots. It's illegal in ALL 50 states to sell a turtle this small. Like turtles but can't have one? Want to help? MATTS accepts tax-deductable donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 22321, Baltimore, MD 21203. We help over 100 displaced pet turtles a year!
