Sophia RE Slider Turtle Red-Eared Slider Mix Baltimore, MD

Please read the description completely before contacting MATTS. Many of your questions will be answered below.

I'm an adult female aquatic red-eared slider (RES) turtle in the Baltimore area, but transport is available to the York, PA. I'd make a good first time turtle, IF you don't mind having a larger aquarium or a stock tank. I'm a relatively young 5 years old, and about 8". I also have a slightly uncommon skin color. My skin is mostly gray, and my red "ear" is very faded, which is uncommon for my age and gender.

I eat Mazuri, Reptomin, and other brands of commercial turtle pellet, dark leafy greens (including edible weeds), and thin slices of squash and carrots. I won't turn up my nose at a piece of plain cooked chicken, either. I ONLY eat in the water. I'll also chase the red dot from a laser pointer!

I'm for adoption because my family had to move suddenly and couldn't take me with them. In fact, I've been passed around to two families so far, so I'm really looking for my third and forever home.

I'd like a 75 gallon aquarium or a 100 Rubbermaid or Tuff Stuff stock tank. 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 100 gallon stock tank would be great for me, those sell for about $100 at True Value or Tractor Supply Company and "feed and seed" farm stores. 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).

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 book for beginners is Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) (on Amazon or in some stores).

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 Fells Point in Baltimore, MD, Parkton, MD, and York, 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. There is no adoption fee for sliders.

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!