🦎Red-eared slider: gear and buying guides

Lively and voracious, the red-eared slider is often bought small and underestimated: as an adult it demands an aquaterrarium of at least 300 L, oversized filtration, a heated basking platform with UVB and decades of care. Keeping one is also strictly regulated in France, so check the rules before any acquisition.

Profile : 20 to 30 cm of shell as an adult, 30 to 40 years of lifespan, intermediate level.

Species profile

Lifespan

30 to 40 years

Adult size

20 to 30 cm

Basking spot

30 to 32 °C

Humidity

60 to 80 %

Minimum enclosure

120 × 50 × 50 cm

Temperament

Lively and voracious, it swims actively and proves far more demanding as an adult than at the time of purchase.

Health watch

soft shell from lacking UVB or calcium · shell rot and vitamin A deficiency (swollen eyes) linked to poor water quality

Legal status

An invasive alien species of Union concern (Regulation 1143/2014): purchase, sale and breeding are banned; keeping animals acquired before the ban is tolerated under conditions, and the animal must never be released into the wild.

🩺 Our hygiene and health advice stays general: it never substitutes for an examination by a veterinarian, the only person qualified to advise on your animal.

Red-eared slider gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An omnivore that grows more herbivorous with age: aquatic-turtle pellets, occasional whole fish, aquatic plants and greens. Feeding in a separate tub massively reduces water pollution.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Water quality is everything: a filter rated for 2 to 3 times the actual volume, regular partial water changes and checks for shell algae. A soft shell signals lacking UVB or calcium.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  It swims actively and enjoys deep water with currents, submerged hides, occasional live prey (worms, gammarus) and plants to shred.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  An aquaterrarium of 300 L or more for an adult, water at 22-26 °C, a dry basking platform under a heat lamp (30-32 °C) and a UVB tube. A secure outdoor pond in summer is an excellent addition, but never release the animal into the wild.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport dry in a rigid box with a damp cloth, never in a volume of water. The species is regulated in France: keep its paperwork and never consider release or informal rehoming.

• 🧰 Accessories

  A powerful external filter, a guarded water heater, basking and UVB lamps, a sturdy floating platform, a net and water conditioner. A full setup often exceeds 500 to 800 €.

Guides to read

• Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: height, ventilation and humidityBedding & habitat

  Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: why height matters more than floor space, what size fits each age, and how to manage the humidity cycle.

• Feeding a crested gecko: CGD powder, fruit and occasional insectsFood

  Feeding a crested gecko: why complete CGD powder remains the base diet, when to add insects, and how often to feed by age.

• Tail loss in crested geckos: why you should never grab one by the tailCare & grooming

  Tail loss (autotomy) in crested geckos: why the tail never grows back in this species, what handling mistakes to avoid, and what to do if it drops.

• Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: branches, hides and climbing supportsToys & enrichment

  Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: why climbing supports matter as much as décor, what hides to provide, and whether to rotate the layout.

• Transporting a Green Iguana to the Vet: Carrier, Heat and StressTravel & safety

  Rigid carrier, keeping the animal warm on the road, and grips to avoid with the tail: how to transport a green iguana to the vet without adding to its stress.

• Humidity and Shedding in the Chinese Water Dragon: Avoiding Skin ProblemsCare & grooming

  Why the Chinese water dragon needs high humidity, how to maintain it without stagnation, and the early signs of an incomplete shed.

• Feeding a Green Anole: Which Insects, and How Often?Food

  Small live insects, prey size and feeding frequency: the complete guide to feeding a green anole, a strict insectivore and a tiny lizard.

• Handling and Transporting a Pacman Frog: Limiting Stress and ContactTravel & safety

  Why the Pacman frog's permeable skin means handling should stay minimal, and how to transport it safely for a vet visit.