Oaklyn R Slider (water turtle) Turtle Red-Eared Slider Baltimore, MD

PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION COMPLETELY before contacting MATTS. Many of your questions will be answered below.

I'm a young adult female aquatic red-eared slider (RES) turtle who is available in the Baltimore area. I eat Mazuri, Reptomin, and other brands of commercial turtle pellet, dark leafy greens, and thin slices of carrots. I won't turn up my nose at a piece of plain cooked chicken, either. I ONLY eat in the water.

I'm for adoption because I was found as a stray in Baltimore but sliders aren't native to the mid-Atlantic area.

I'm probably around 5-8 years old, but I can live another 10-20 years. Since I'm about 6" long, I should have at least a 75 gallon aquarium or Rubbermaid stock tank because I might put on another inch or two. My tank should come with a strong external canister filter or really good home-made filter, and a basking area under a heat and UVB light. A Rubbermaid or Tuff Stuff stock tank would make a good home, and those are cheaper than aquariums. A 100 gallon stock tank is great for me, since I'm not used to deeper water, and it sells for about $90 at True Value or Tractor Supply Company and "feed and seed" farm stores. They also come in 150 gallon sizes. In the summer, it would be great if I could live in a FENCED-IN, backyard pond (dug below the frost line so that the top won't freeze solid, if I'm spending the winter there, too). I can also live outside all year if I go into a pond in the summer. I can even be adopted with another lady slider or two from MATTS if the pond is large enough.

Sliders can live for 20-60 yrs, and can grow to be 5-8" for males, and 7-11" for females. We 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 the end of 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

A great ebook for beginners is Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) (available at Barnes & Nobles https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-eared-sliders-katrina-smith/1102168496?ean=9780793849246 or on Amazon).

A more in-depth book, for free download, is https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-lunsford/captive-care-of-north-american-water-turtles/ebook/product-17551523.html

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. We meet adopters in central locations such as near Fells Point in Baltimore, MD, Parkton, MD, and York and Harrisburg, PA, as we foster from our homes and do not have a central shelter. Shipping is possible if temperatures allow, if you're willing to pay for shipping, and if it's legal to have a slider in your state. We cannot place red-eared sliders in CT, FL, OR, or MT.

MATTS can show you ideas for making your own basking platform from PVC pipe and egg crate light diffuser.

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-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 341, Highland, MD 20777. We help over 100 displaced pet turtles a year!