uct/red-eared-slider-turtle-for-sale/

https://www.tortoisetown.com/prod

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com
/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/
Classroom Pets

Red-Eared Slider Turtle

Trachemys scripta elegans
By: Ellyn Culotta and Laura Simmons

https://www.thespruce.com/r
ed-eared-sliders-1238387
http://www.redearedslider.net/wh
en-to-replace-red-eared-slider-
supplies/
 NSTA Position Statement
Responsible Use of Live Animals and Dissection in the Science Classroom
After thoroughly reviewing the NSTA Position Statement on how to responsibly use live animals and
dissection in the classroom, it was revealed that the NSTA supports the integration of both live animals and
animals from dissection. The use of live animals in the classroom promotes hands on learning, as well as the
National Science Education Standards. According to NSTA (2008), all animals must be “cared for and treated
humanely, responsibly, and ethically” (p. 1). Within their position statement they list a set of recommendation that
teachers must consider when deciding if they can handle properly taking care of a live animal in their science
classroom. NSTA also supports a teacher’s choice for the use of dissection in the classroom when necessarily.
They were very repetitive when saying that teachers need to be respectful of the animals, consider learning
objectives very carefully, and check the maturity level of the students in the classroom. There were also some
recommendations for the use of dissection in the science classroom that the teachers should consider before
planning to complete this activity with their students. Overall the NSTA is supportive of the hands-on learning that
takes place by caring for live animals in the classroom and the practice of dissection when necessary.
Brochure Information
Classifications. Domain: Eukaryota. Kingdom: Metazoa. Phylum: Chordata. Subphylum: Vertebrata.
Class: Reptilia. Order: Testudines. Family: Emydidae. Genus: Trachemys. Species: Trachemys scripta elegans.
Temperature requirements and methods. Water temperature between 76 and 84F and the basking
site between 82 and 88F.
Life Span. Red-eared sliders are expected to live well over 20 years. Some even reach a 50-year life
span in captivity.
Lighting requirements. Full spectrum UV lighting, a basket heat light.
Diet. Red-eared Sliders feed mainly on plants and small animals, such as crickets, fish, crayfish, snails,
tadpoles, worms, aquatic insects and aquatic plants. Turtles don't have teeth, but instead have horny ridges that
are serrated and sharp on their upper and lower jaws. They are considered opportunistic omnivore. Red-eared
sliders in captivity need a pelleted commercial diet (Animal Petco Supplies, 2018).
What is eats. They are omnivores. In captivity, they should be given commercial turtle food or pellet. This
will help with proper development. They can also enjoy, “leafy greens, freeze-dried shrimp or krill, crickets, super
worms, rosy red minnows and even pinky mice” (Ma, 2018, p. 4).
How much it eats as a baby. “A good rule of thumb is to offer your slider an amount of pellets that is
roughly equal to the size of their head” (All turtles, 2018, p.1). Feed them only as much as they need and will eat.
They need more protein.
How much it eats as an adult. “A good rule of thumb is to offer your slider an amount of pellets that is
roughly equal to the size of their head” (All turtles, 2018, p.1). They need more plants and less protein.
Any foods to avoid. Foods that should be avoided include raw meat, processed meats, fireflies,
chocolate, avocados, or onions. Avoid most processed food.
How often to feed it? The hatchlings and juveniles should be fed every day. The adult sliders should be
fed every other day.
Life cycle. Sexually mature at 2–5 years of age. Females lay up to 70 eggs per year. Females can
produce viable eggs for up to five years after one mating.
Handling. The turtles should be carefully handled. Taking them out of their habits to handle is NOT
recommended. This is because they can easily be frightened and nip at the handler.
Food requirements. Protein and plants.
Foods that are poisonous to animal? Spinach is highly concentrated in oxalic acid which prevents
calcium absorption, this is not good for the turtles. Rhubarb and chard are also poisonous. Do not feed your turtle
table food because it is too salty and fatty for the animal. Any processed meat (e.g., pork, bacon, sausages) are
bad for the turtle. Never feed raw chicken or turkey to the turtle. Note: while celery and lettuce are okay for the
turtle to consume they have no nutritional value for these animals. (Marin, 2010)
Pro/cons of having them in a classroom. Pros the responsibility of caring for a class pet is valuable to
students as well as the fact that turtles are not that difficult to feed and care for. Cons they carry Salmonella and
can easily infect the students in the classroom that are handling the animal and they smell bad after a couple of
days.
 Safety issues for animals. Some health problems frequently affect these semi aquatic reptiles, including
shell rot and parasites. Captive turtles, like all pets, must receive routine veterinary checkups. (Millburn, 2017)
Issues for students. Turtles pose a high risk of spreading disease, especially to children. Turtles carry
potentially dangerous bacteria called Salmonella (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018)
Cage, hiding spaces, water needs, play toys? The turtles need an aquarium, pond, or turtle tub. They
need water, a dock or place to sunbathe, and places to hide. They also need a filtration system, a water heater,
and a UV light.
How much room do they need to thrive? 10 gallons of water per every inch of their shell. So, a five-
inch shelled turtle would need 50 gallons of water.
Can they bite? Are they poisonous? Yes, they can bite. No, they are not poisonous
Are they escape artists? Precautions? Yes, they can climb and burrow so they need to be kept in an
area/ habitat that will keep them from escaping
Frequency of cage cleaning Partial cleaning every week. Full clean every two to three weeks.
Noise level animals emit… noise level they tolerate. They communicate with touch and vibrations.
Cost to acquire? $8-$25 to acquire.
Cost to maintain? Anywhere from $100 to $200 for a terrarium or an aquarium. Then the filtration
system, lighting, and appropriate platforms could cost about $350. You will also need to treat the water to remove
chemicals (like chlorine), which should cost about $10 or so.
Disposal issues (both alive animals and dead)? Poop? Dead animals? If looking for somewhere to
bring the live turtle, do not release it into the wild because it is bad for the environment and population. Try to sell
the turtle or give it a new home but still in captivity with a new owner. When handling the turtle’s feces, fish the
poop out of the aquarium with a small net and clean the tank every other day. Don’t touch the dead animal if
possible. Wear gloves when handling the deceased animal.
Bedding material. No bedding materials necessary for this type of turtle.
Adult size and weight? Adult size and weight? Adult: medium-sized freshwater turtle (carapace length:
125 to 289 mm). Turtles reach adulthood (up to 30 centimeters carapace length)
How to tell male vs female? The difference is the males are smaller, their claws are much longer, males
have thicker tales.
Demeanor of males vs females? Males may endlessly pursue females. Competition in this limited area
is not uncommon. Harassment can escalate to serious aggression such as fighting which can result in cuts, loss
of limbs or even death.
Compatibility with humans? Do they bite? Run away? While turtles are kept as pets, they are still wild
animals. So, they will bite and attempt to run away if they feel threatened or are uncomfortable.
How much exercise room is necessary? 10 gallons per inch of their shell is how much swimming, or
exercising room.
Necessary vet care? Shots vitamins, illnesses/diseases? If your pet turtle is in optimal condition after
your initial vet appointment, you can get into the habit of bringing him for examinations once a year. Pet turtles do
not need vaccinations. Treatment should be done under veterinary supervision, sometimes is a means of
surgery, x-rays, oral or injectable antibiotics.
 Common illnesses. Common conditions of pet turtles include Vitamin A deficiency, respiratory
diseases, abscesses, shell infections and fractures, and parasites.
Precautions for cleaning cages and disposing of waste and water. Since red eared sliders carry
salmonella, cleaning the turtle and cage requires careful attention. In order to not spread the salmonella, the area
should be washed after cleaning. For instance, if you wash the turtle in the sink, then the sink would need to be
thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination.
Summer care suggestions. During the summer time, the turtle will be given to a student who, with
consent and help from their family, will take the turtle home. This will include taking the turtle, the habitat, food,
and care instructions.
Poetry
Poem #1.
Red Eared Slider
This turtle is cute
But, be careful - it may bite
They live a long life
Poem #2.
Class Pet
Red eared sliders are great class pets
Everyone needs to have one
Don’t you think they are just so cute?

Elegant they are not

Always clumsy as they crawl around
Running almost never
Energy is not their best friend
Diving is their strength

Slippery slides are their motto

Love to bask in the sweet sun
Inside their ponds they love to swim
Don’t feed them chocolate
Eggplants they may enjoy
Raw meat is their worst enemy
ELA Connection
This book, About Turtles: A Kids Picture Book about Turtles by Tiara Jackson contains information about the
different types of turtles. The book is filled with lots of pictures and is set up to answer typical questions that
children have about turtles so it is a great read for students.

This book, Turtles: An Educational Children’s Book, by Abby Daniele, provides facts about the different types of
turtles as well as pictures!
Bulletin Board:
 Reference
All Turtles (2018). The complete guide about red eared slider care. Retrieved from https://www.allturtles.com/red-
eared-slider/
Axelson, R. (2009). Turtles - aquatic - diseases. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/turtles-
aquatic-diseases
Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention (2018). Pet turtles: Is a turtle the right pet for your family? Retrieved
from https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/reptiles/turtles.html
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (2016). Red-eared slider turtle: Trachemys scripta elegans. Retrieved
from https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/377717/Red-eared-slider-turtle.pdf
NSTA Board of Directors (2008). NSTA position statement: Responsible use of live animals and dissection in the
science classroom. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Ma,V. (2018). Red-eared slider care sheet. Retrieved from http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-
Care-Sheet/
Marin, I. (2010). What kind of turtle food is bad for your pet? Retrieved from http://www.petsource.org/pet-reptile-
health/5417-reptile-health-catego.html
Millburn, N. (2017). The health problems of red-eared sliders. Retrieved from http://animals.mom.me/health-
problems-redeared-sliders-10506.html
Petco Animal Supplies (2018). Red-eared slider: Trachemys scripta elegans. Retrieved from
https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/red-
eared-slider-care-sheet.html
Red ear slider (2011). Cohabitation with other turtles. Retrieved from
http://www.redearslider.com/cohabitation.html
Washington Naturemapping Program (n.d.). Retrieved from http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/red-
eared_slider_712.html
Williams, G. (2018). How much do turtles cost? Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/reptile/care/evr_rp_how-
much-do-turtles-cost