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How to Hatch Red Ear Slider Turtles

The red ear slider turtle, also known as red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), is a good turtle for beginners. They are a medium-sized species that is quite hardy. They do require a fair amount of room, so adequate planning is required before bringing one home. The red ear slider is not endangered and in fact is quite plentiful on the market, so you should not try to breed them unless you have a specific reason to do so. They key to successful breeding is having the proper habitats established to meet the needs of your young turtles.

Things You'll Need

30-gallon tank
Two 20-gallon tanks
Loam or potting soil
Heat lamp with clamp
Aquarium thermometer
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Observe your turtles carefully during the cooler months and watch for signs that they are ready to mate. If the female is rejecting the male's advances, separate the turtles so they do not hurt each other.
- 2
  When the female accepts the male, use a 30-gallon tank to prepare a special mating area for them. It should include several inches of water to make it easier for the male, but not so deep that the female will drown. Their mating ritual will take at least 15 minutes. Do not disturb your turtles during this time.
- 3
  After your turtles have mated return them to their habitats. The male and female should be kept apart for the remainder of the gestation period, which usually lasts about 60 days.
- 4
  Prepare the nesting tank towards the end of the gestational period. It should be ready before your female is ready to lay her eggs. Use four to five inches of loam or other planting soil to cover the bottom of a 20-gallon tank. Tap the soil down but do not pack it firmly.
- 5
  Watch for signs that your female is ready to lay her eggs. After about two months, she will begin digging in the soil and showing nesting behavior. At this point, she should be moved to the nesting tank you prepared for her.
- 6
  Clamp a heat lamp onto the nesting tank once the female has laid her eggs. Install an aquarium thermometer on the inside of the tank near the nest to monitor temperature. The ideal temperature for the nest is 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 7
  Watch the eggs for signs of hatching after 75 to 80 days. You will see the eggs start to move as the babies get ready to break the egg shell.
- 8
  Prepare a nursery tank for the hatchlings. Using soft loamy soil, add a layer of dirt to one half of a 20-gallon tank. It should be several inches deep and packed down firmly to create a basking area for the babies. Add water to the other side of the tank. It should be no more than a few inches deep to prevent the babies from drowning.
- 9
  Change the water in the nursery tank at least every other day to keep the nursery clean and help prevent the babies from getting sick. Provide them with a nutritionally sound diet to insure proper health. There are many commercial diets available, which can be supplemented with meat such as worms or fish.

Animals & Science