My basic info
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Please read the description completely before contacting MATTS. Many of your questions will be answered below.
I would be a good first turtle for someone wanting an aquatic turtle, since sliders are very hardy, and male sliders stay smaller than females. My shell is about 4" long, and could grow another 2-3". I'm used to being around people. I've been raised with my "brother" Raphael, but we can be adopted together or individually (really, we don't mind being adopted to two different homes).
I'm an older juvenile/sub-adult male aquatic red-eared slider (RES) turtle in the Baltimore area, but transport is available to the York, PA, and, at the end of each month to McLean, VA. I'm kind of young for a turtle. I eat Mazuri, Reptomin, and Zoo Med turtle pellets and other brands of pellets, dark leafy greens, thin slices of sweet potato. I won't turn up his nose at a piece of plain cooked chicken, either. I'm for adoption because my previous keepers weren't taking care of me. MATTS doesn't know how old I am, but 5 years is a good guess.
I'd be a good indoor pet if you're willing to have a 55 gallon aquarium or a Rubbermaid stock tank in the family room. I like watching people.
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) (on Amazon or in some stores).
Please review our adoption requirements for aquatic turtles at http://www.matts.petfinder.com if interested in adopting this slider.
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 Fells Point in Baltimore, Timonium, or Parkton, MD, or York, PA, as we foster from our homes and do not have a central shelter.
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 22321, Baltimore, MD 21203. We help over 100 displaced pet turtles a year!
