Before i go into further detail, it is crucial to remember to recreate a habitat for red-eared sliders as close to a natural environment setting as they would encounter in the wild. So, how do we do that?
Firstly, you need to know what their actual natural habitat is like to be able to simulate a similar enclosure. Secondly, you need to decide whether you want to set up an indoor or an outdoor enclosure, which will also entail different environmental settings based on the various conditions and factors one should bear in mind.
Keep reading to find out all the details on setting up the optimal habitable conditions to house your red-eared slider pet(s) comfortably.
The natural habitat of red-eared sliders
In wild, beautiful nature, red-eared sliders have all the freedom in the world to move between different water sources, land areas and cover large distances while foraging for various food sources. Their native range stretches from the south-eastern regions of America all the way to the northern areas.
Though red-eared sliders tend to survive in a wide range of habitats, being a hardy species, they still have specific requirements that need to be met for them to thrive. These requirements will differ based on the environment they find themselves in.
Naturally, red-eared sliders prefer warmer, marsh-like areas that are calm water bodies with ample basking areas in full sunlight. As they are aquatic turtles, red-eared sliders spend most of their time in the water when they are not lazing around somewhere on a warm rock or log.
Therefore, if you consider housing a red-eared slider in captivity, whether captive bred or wild caught (rescues only, please), keep their natural environment closely in mind. The best habitat conditions at the end will be those mimicking a red-eared slider’s natural habitat as best possible.
Indoor (tank) habitat conditions
The indoor tanks, also known as terrariums, can be challenging to simulate a natural habitat of a red-eared slider. It can quickly become expensive and take up a lot of space in your house.
Indoor tanks look more like aquarium setups, which can be aesthetically appealing to guests but also provide more human-animal interaction for you and your red-eared slider turtle friend.
So, if this is the kind of setup you are looking for, you will need to know more about creating optimal habitat conditions in an indoor tank for your red-eared slider(s).
- Water:
In general, the minimum amount of water your indoor tank requires will follow the rule that for every inch of turtle shell length, you need at least 10 gallons of water.
You can, however, play around with the water depth more so than for outdoor ponds because of less evaporation occurring and because you are potentially dealing with a smaller enclosure indoors. Try to have at least a water depth that is four inches deeper than the height of your average-sized red-eared slider.
It is vital to provide enough water for both vertical and horizontal swimming. More water in your enclosure will further allow your enclosure to stay cleaner for longer and stay oxygenated with a minimal build-up of toxins.
A detailed blog post on the water conditions for red-eared sliders can be read by following the link.
- Filtration system:
A high-quality filter will be pertinent for your indoor enclosure. The more red-eared sliders you have, the more powerful the filter should be. Sliders can be really messy, and the correct filter for the size of your tank according to the number of animals will help with that.
Filters are not only great at keeping your water quality at a top standard, but it also successfully eliminates toxic waste in the water that can cause potential health issues to your red-eared slider pet(s).
There are a variety of filters to choose from, though you will not go wrong with opting for a cost-effective power filter in a smaller enclosure and a canister filter for larger enclosures.
- Basking:
The easiest yet essential part in your tank to never forget is a dedicated basking area or individual basking platforms. Thus, you will have to mimic a basking area in your indoor tank by installing either a heating pad or a heat lamp.
[Side note: Do not confuse a heat lamp with a UVB light. They do not have the same light spectrums to do the necessary jobs. UVB lights barely emit heat and will not function as a heat source for basking].
For optimal body thermoregulation, a basking area is the most relied on by red-eared sliders to do so. As a result, your slider(s) will also be able to digest their food more effectively and stay healthy and fit in the process.
- Heater:
A submersible heater with a thermometer will work wonders to avoid too much water temperature fluctuation in your indoor tank. It also prevents extreme cold conditions from inducing hibernation in your red-eared slider(s).
If the water is too warm or cold in your enclosure, your red-eared slider pet(s) will become stressed and susceptible to numerous diseases and illnesses.
[Side note: Red-eared sliders do not need to hibernate unless they were forced to do so in the wild. However, it is never necessary for red-eared sliders in captivity unless you want to adhere to strict natural variation according to that in the animal’s native environment].
- Lighting:
As there is little to no natural light indoors, one of the more important technologies to invest in for your indoor tank is a proper UVB light. You want to opt for a fluorescent UVB light that simulates different times of the day as red-eared sliders would experience it outdoors.
A sufficient amount of light assists in promoting vitamin D3 synthesis, which is critical for bone and cartilage development in red-eared sliders. Additionally, shell rot and bone deficiencies will be less likely to occur as the vitamins received from light replenish the red-eared slider’s calcium content in their shells and bones.
- Substrate:
Indoor tanks usually do not provide enough space to use too many substrate variations nor create different elevations.
Nevertheless, it is still possible to layer a suitable substrate comprising aquarium sand, organic topsoil in between, and some big pebbles. Such a substrate can potentially function as a small filtration system but, more importantly, provide a mentally stimulating activity for your red-eared slider(s) when an individual wants to dig.
As long as you bear in mind that whatever substrate type you opt for, it should be at least four inches thick or comprise items twice the size of your red-eared slider’s gaping mouth. (Note: This applies to any type of enclosure).
- Hides:
The turtle species is not called a red-eared SLIDER for anything. Whenever a red-eared slider detects sudden movement or danger, it will ‘slide’ into the water or go into a hide as quickly as possible. Hence, these turtles fall in the slider category for turtles.
Therefore, you can add some hides as options for your red-eared sliders to slip into, such as terracotta pot halves, carved-out logs, or anything they will likely hide in if they were out in the wild.
- Tank size:
The minimum tank size you can start with should hold at least 10 gallons of water if you start with hatchlings or juveniles between one and two inches in length. For every four-inch red-eared slider, you require about 40 gallons of water.
Some experienced reptile keepers recommend a minimum acceptable red-eared slider tank size of 100 US gallons.
- Other decoration:
Avoid installing artificial plants and other plastic décor in your tank. It might look great, but it does not contribute whatsoever to the health of your red-eared slider and can potentially harm them. Plastic also tends to foul easier than anything natural.
Instead, include low-maintenance aquatic plants like water lettuces. Such plants will act as a natural filtration system, reducing the frequency of cleaning your tank and providing interaction for your red-eared slider(s).
You can also include a chunk of driftwood or a sturdy rooted plant that will encourage a climbing spot for your slider(s) to get out of the water and bask a bit. Make sure to thoroughly soak driftwood or large rooting systems to eliminate toxins and bacteria.
Outdoor (pond) habitat conditions
An outdoor habitat usually entails the setup of a pond or pool somewhere in your yard that provides ample sunlight yet enough shade on the hotter days.
Given the ease of setup in a larger space compared to indoor tanks, it will be less effort and cheaper to opt for an outdoor pond. The red-eared sliders will also be exposed to more natural environmental conditions like heat and light from the sun, occasional wind to cool them down, and rain for freshwater intake and replenishment.
However, outdoor ponds require more cleaning and maintenance and potentially allow for unnecessary predatory encounters because outdoor ponds are more exposed. Some installments can assist with these challenges.
- Water:
The minimum water requirements are 10 gallons for every inch of turtle shell length with a water depth of at least one to two feet.
It is essential to consider enough water for swimming both vertically and horizontally, for digging and foraging, as well as for individuals to be able to turn back over if they did end up on their back.
You can read more about the water conditions for red-eared sliders in my following blog post: Everything you need to know about the water conditions for red-eared sliders”.
- Filtration system:
A low-cost filtration system will do just fine in an outdoor pond. You can opt for a sponge filter that can be replaced every six months or install a power filter like you would with an indoor tank enclosure.
Whatever option you choose, some form of a filtration system will assist in less frequent cleaning and reduce the fouling in your tank, resulting in healthier animals.
If you do not want to invest in a filter at first, you can buy a cheap air stone with a small pump that will also do a great job. It will not be as effective as a filter in keeping the water cleaner for longer, but it will ensure oxygenated water with little to no toxic waste build-up.
- Basking:
Natural sunlight is your best heat source when deciding how to install a dedicated basking area.
You can use any item that retains heat well, such as large flat rocks, tiles, big pebbles, and plastic floating shelves, as long as you ensure the basking area does not exceed the temperature of 105°F.
During the winter months, you might have to install heating pads or thermal lamps for some time to mimic basking areas for your red-eared slider pet(s).
- Heater:
A submersible heater with a thermometer will not be necessary year-round. However, if you intend to keep your outdoor pond exposed to changing temperatures, a heater will become of absolute importance to keep your red-eared sliders from getting stressed and dying.
- Lighting:
Though light exposure is essential for optimal health in red-eared sliders, they cannot thermoregulate their body’s heat and will need sufficient shaded areas to cool them down.
You can cover one side of the pond with a shade cloth or make sure it is situated in an area where sunlight and shade balance throughout the day. Ensure basking areas are most exposed to the sun, and the sandy and plant areas are mostly shaded.
- Substrate:
The nice part of setting up outdoor ponds is playing around with different substrates and creating varying elevations in the pond space. Hence, you can use anything from big pebbles to stones to sand heaps, as long as you source it from reliable places or people.
Elevation allows for a gradient filtration system created naturally in the wild. It further provides more variation to your red-eared slider(s) and virtually opens up more space for your animals to choose from. Less is more for substrates, though.
- Hides:
The same applies here for hides than for those you can potentially use in indoor tanks. Remember that your red-eared slider(s) might use the hides more than indoor enclosures because they are exposed to more elements and moving things outdoors.
An excellent alternative for a hide, which will double in functionality, is constructing a basking area that also creates a hide for your red-eared slider(s).
- Pond size:
As red-eared sliders can grow up to 12 inches, you should consider investing in a 120-gallon pond size from day one. This will save you the trouble of upgrading later and making the necessary financial and time investment again.
- Other decoration:
Because ponds receive ample sunlight, you can play around with several aquatic plants. One example includes water lilies, which are thoroughly enjoyed by red-eared sliders as the occasional snack and also to hide under. Water lilies are easy to maintain.
You can put other aquatic plants in your pond that can help keep the water cleaner for longer and filter out harmful toxins.
In addition, driftwood and a large smooth stone or rock can also be added to your pond, encouraging your red-eared sliders to climb and get some exercise other than swimming and digging.
Take-home message
Make an effort to properly set up your red-eared slider’s enclosure, whether indoor or outdoor. You will ensure more accessible care and maintenance for yourself and be guaranteed happy and healthy turtle pets.
