Females are typically a little larger
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When it is born, the red-eared slider is roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. The green skin of its head and appendages is usually covered with bright yellow stripes, except for a small area behind its eyes, which is a reddish color. The shells of baby red-eared sliders are typically green with yellow or dark green marks. As these turtles get older, their shells generally change to a yellow or brownish green color, and the markings will often darken and may even disappear altogether.
Depending on the gender of the turtle, an adult red-eared slider can grow to be 10 to 13 inches (25 to 33 cm) long. Females are typically a little larger and bulkier than males. The stripes behind their eyes are also a much brighter red, while the stripes on male sliders are more of an orange color. Females usually have smaller claws and tails too.
These turtles are considered to be omnivorous, eating a variety of plants and animals. Younger turtles typically eat more animals as foods, including worms, small fish, and tadpoles. As they mature, more plant material is added to their diets.
The red-eared slider is native to the southern United States, but has become a very common, inexpensive pet and can be found in most parts of the world living domestically and in the wild. Since 1975, the United States Food and Drug Administration has regulated the sale of turtles. To reduce the risk of spreading salmonella, which the turtles can carry, the animals must be at least 4 inches long before they can be sold.
Red-eared sliders can be considered a threat to the environment in places where they are not native species. In Australia they are completely banned. Owning or breeding these types of turtles can result in hefty fines and jail time.
Because they can get quite large and prefer lots of room to roam, these turtles do best in a large aquarium or terrarium. The water should be kept clean and warm, and owners are strongly encouraged to replace at least a quarter of the water once a week. A UVB light should also be provided, along with some sort of platform for the turtle to bask on. Under the right conditions, red-eared sliders, like many other turtles, can live to be almost 100 years old.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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