Care level: Intermediate-Advanced
Temperament: Usually fairly personable and friendly although it’s best to handle them as little as possible
Behavior: diurnal, semi-aquatic, semi-social (can live together and often will live in large groups in the wild, but do fine housed alone)
Minimum enclosure size: 10 gallons of water per inch(40L per 2.5cm) of shell length, recommended at least 100 gallons (400L) for adults regardless of size
Basking air temp: 85-90°F (30-32°C)
Basking surface temp: 104°F (40°C)
Nighttime/minimum temp (air): 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Water temp: Hatchlings – 78-82°F (24-29°C); juveniles – 74-76°F (23-24°C); adults – 70-88°F (21-31°C)
UVB: UVI 2.9-7.4/Ferguson zone 3 (Arcadia T5HO 6% at 8-13″ (20-33cm) away with no mesh or 6-10″ (15-25cm) away with typical mesh)
Diet: vegetables, proteins (turtle pellets, insects, safe fish, crustaceans, snails, etc); protein more frequently for babies/juveniles
Adult size: up to 12″ (30cm)
Wild Distribution: various permanent bodies of freshwater throughout large range of southeastern/central United States
(written with contributions by mandi#6740)
Other Resources:
Reptifiles Guide – Red-Eared Slider