Yellow belly or yellow belly sliders are a type of turtle closely related to the common redbelly, which is very often found as pets. These turtles, which are native to the United States, are considered a relatively easy species to care for, making them a good choice for a beginner fan of turtles. However, like all turtles, yellow-bellied turtles grow rapidly and can have very long lives of more than 40 years. It is important to plan and research turtle care in order to keep them comfortable and healthy throughout their long life.
How to Keep Turtles Yellow-Belly
Step 1
Provide your tortoise with an aquarium. Although several young slide turtles can be kept in a small aquarium, an adult turtle will grow between 8 and 13 inches (20 to 33 cm) in length and therefore will need an aquarium with a capacity of 75 gallons (283 liters) or more. Yellow-bellied sliding turtles are peaceful and coexist well with other peaceful turtles, so they can be kept in a common aquarium. However, a larger aquarium will have to be provided for every additional turtle that lives in it.
Step 2
Fill the aquarium with water. The water should be at least a little deeper than the width of the turtle’s shell. However, the water can be even deeper, it would ideal a depth of at least 18 inches (45 cm).
Step 3
Create a sunbathing area. The sunbathing areas are flat and easily accessible so that the turtle can climb out of the water and dry out. A sunbathing area can be created using well-stacked rocks.
Step 4
Install a strong filtering system designed for the aquarium size you have. The turtles are very messy and quickly dirty the water. A filtering system helps keep water clean. Make partial water changes so you replace some of the dirty water with fresh, new water. Do it every two weeks.
Step 5
Install a UVB heat lamp over the sunbathing area in the aquarium. This lamp will provide heat and vitamin D, which is required by yellow-bellied turtles in order to maintain their shells and bones. The temperature above this area should be between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 32 degrees Celsius). The water temperature in the aquarium should be between 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), while the air temperature just above the aquarium should be between 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
Step 6
Feed the yellow-bellied turtles according to their age. Very young turtles should be fed every day. Turtles with a few years can feed every other day, while adult turtles can be fed twice a week. It only feeds turtles how much they can eat in about 20 minutes. Because yellow-bellied sliding turtles are omnivorous, feed them with a mixture of meat and herb food. Commercial food for turtles, small fish, insects and fresh vegetables create a balanced diet. Vegetation such as pond plants can be left in the aquarium all the time for turtles to chew. Minerals and calcium supplements can also be given to you once every two weeks.
