Yellow Bellied Slider

[rubyduby]

Bought a yellow bellied slider from the pet store because I felt so sorry for him trying to get out of a too small tank (with nothing but a platform in it) about a week ago. I put a log in the pond so he could get out of the water and bask...I thought he would have enough food with all of the tadpoles but the watersnake came and ate most of them...I put in bunches of parsley which he loves. I think he is chomping on my water lily leaves unfortunately...He is very scared (probably never was outside of a tank) so when he sees me look out my window to check on him he dives into the water until the coast is clear. It will take a lot of time for him to get used to me I see...Do any of you with aquatic turtles feed them and if so what? I would appreciate any feedback....I love seeing him crawl up on the log and look around, he's my first turtle

 

[Tula]

Have you named your new friend? I didn't know they still sold turtles at pet stores . I remember when I was a kid tanks full of them at Woolworths and I loved them ! I remember my Mom fed ours small pieces of raw hamburger, but imagine that would foul your pond water.

 

[rubyduby]

Have you named your new friend? I didn't know they still sold turtles at pet stores . I remember when I was a kid tanks full of them at Woolworths and I loved them ! I remember my Mom fed ours small pieces of raw hamburger, but imagine that would foul your pond water.

Those poor turtles...I had them off and on...and does anyone remember the lizards that you would get in the little box at the circus? They called them chameleons....Even baby alligators were sold as pets back then...at least now there is some education that goes along with the purchase. Back then they were practically "thrown to the masses" Yeah, I am afraid to add food that will spoil quickly in case he doesn't eat it initially....If he wasn't so scared of me I would try many things...I just saw a lot of activity in the water and am wondering if he is chasing my fish, or visa versa? I haven't named him yet since hearing that they will leave the pond eventually if there is no containment set up

 

[JRS]

How big is the turtle? Probably a young adult, at least 4" since store bought, which might still be the law? Sliders when small are more protein oriented, when adults, more vegetation. Tetra Reptomin is real common but has more protein and this is a better value: https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-natural-aquatic-maintenance/dp/124392 which is what I use as a staple for my adults.

In addition to pellets they will eat greens such as collards. Never tried parsley, mine do not like mustard greens but ate beat greens. Throw a leaf in and they will munch on it, much like the lily leaves as you found out. I pick dandelion greens from my yard (no chemical treatments), rip the the thin stem part of the leaf off. Cattail leaves are eaten, although tougher, if they are hungry, which is almost always. As an occasional treat, strawberries, tomatoes and grapes that are overripe. Any garden worms or slugs are good snacks.

He/she may be chasing the fish but will usually stop once they realize they cannot catch them, unless they get too close. They will dash about if startled so that may be happening until it gets used to the environment. Your fish will most likely be interested in some of the turtle food. Once it adjusts, it will come swimming when it sees you, looking for food. The knuckleheads I have look at me so hard they do not even see the pellets I throw in until I step away.

 

[Jimmy Gibson]

This is “Sheldon”….. three years ago my wife rescued him from the middle of a busy highway, he was maybe 4” then, over 8” now. There is no fences he chooses to live here, although he does love to take a dip in the pool about once a week. When we feed the koi he is right in the middle of them enjoying the koi food. He disappeared last year for over a month…… think he went on a walk about maybe to find a friend, but came back and has been here ever since.

 

[rubyduby]

How big is the turtle? Probably a young adult, at least 4" since store bought, which might still be the law? Sliders when small are more protein oriented, when adults, more vegetation. Tetra Reptomin is real common but has more protein and this is a better value: https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-natural-aquatic-maintenance/dp/124392 which is what I use as a staple for my adults.

In addition to pellets they will eat greens such as collards. Never tried parsley, mine do not like mustard greens but ate beat greens. Throw a leaf in and they will munch on it, much like the lily leaves as you found out. I pick dandelion greens from my yard (no chemical treatments), rip the the thin stem part of the leaf off. Cattail leaves are eaten, although tougher, if they are hungry, which is almost always. As an occasional treat, strawberries, tomatoes and grapes that are overripe. Any garden worms or slugs are good snacks.

He/she may be chasing the fish but will usually stop once they realize they cannot catch them, unless they get too close. They will dash about if startled so that may be happening until it gets used to the environment. Your fish will most likely be interested in some of the turtle food. Once it adjusts, it will come swimming when it sees you, looking for food. The knuckleheads I have look at me so hard they do not even see the pellets I throw in until I step away.

Thank you for all of the advice JRS...You are exactly right, this turtle's shell is about 4 1/2 inches long...I was hoping that he would be able to keep my fish herd in check but I guess not Today I bought the Tetra Reptomin in hopes that he might like it...not sure who is eating it since I can't get close yet...How many do you have? Are they Yellow Bellies? He is my first turtle and I really like that he is so active and fun to watch (with binoculars though otherwise he dives) Are collards a favorite green for them or are there others that they like that you have observed? This is a huge help, thanks!

 

[rubyduby]

This is “Sheldon”….. three years ago my wife rescued him from the middle of a busy highway, he was maybe 4” then, over 8” now. There is no fences he chooses to live here, although he does love to take a dip in the pool about once a week. When we feed the koi he is right in the middle of them enjoying the koi food. He disappeared last year for over a month…… think he went on a walk about maybe to find a friend, but came back and has been here ever since.

Sheldon is really cute Jimmy...You are so lucky that he wants to stay in your pond! I hope that my little guy (haven't named him yet) decides to also...he is a lot of fun to watch

 

[JRS]

I would not say collards are a favorite more so than anything else they like. One of the easier greens for me in terms of purchasing and keeping. A bit tougher chomping for the peninsula cooter I have since he is less massive about the head than the two female red eared sliders. I also have a small female musk turtle inside, all taken in from people that lost interest.

 

[rubyduby]

I would not say collards are a favorite more so than anything else they like. One of the easier greens for me in terms of purchasing and keeping. A bit tougher chomping for the peninsula cooter I have since he is less massive about the head than the two female red eared sliders. I also have a small female musk turtle inside, all taken in from people that lost interest.

So nice of you to rescue them JRS…I hate to think of all the ones given to children that have lost interest…

 

[Tula]

Love Sheldon...he knows a good thing when he sees it

 

[TimsPond]

I have a couple of Eastern Painted Turtles in my pond. Turtles will respond fairly quickly to being fed. The best way to get them to respond is to create a pattern for feeding time. When I go down to feed, I turn my waterfall pump off. This triggers a feeding response in my fish and eventually in my turtles.

I started by feeding my fish and keeping an eye out for the turtles. When I would see the turtles surface, I would toss some food in their direction. I found that cooked shrimp worked well, as they could smell it and they seemed to love the taste. It only took a few weeks of this, before the turtles would swim up when ever I walked out by the pond. They will, now, eat out of my hand whenever I stoop down and offer food.