Can Red Eared Slider Turtles Drown?
Red Eared Sliders are popular pets. They love to swim underwater, and need access to water to be healthy. In fact, they can die without access to water. Can Red Eared Slider Turtles Drown? Despite their need for water, these turtles breathe air. This means they can drown if they are under water for too long.
What is a Red Eared Slider?
The Red Eared Slider is also known as the Red Eared Terrapin. It is a subspecies of the Pond Slider. It’s native habitat ranges from the Midwest to Mexico. However, they are the most invasive species of turtle. They can be found in many areas of the world, because they are released into the wild. The Red Eared Slider is the most popular pet turtle in America.
Their top shell is green. Babies have a green shell. As they age, the color darkens. It can eventually become olive green. The lower shell is yellow, with black and yellow markings. Their body is green, with black and yellow lines as well. They have distinctive red markings on their heads, which is how they get their name.
Can Red Eared Sliders Drown?
Yes, red eared sliders can drown. Like us, they need oxygen from the air to survive. However, they can hold their breath for long periods of time underwater. It’s important to note that these turtles are excellent swimmers. It is possible for them to drown. However, it’s highly unlikely that they will drown under normal circumstances, because they are able to come up for air when needed.
How Red Eared Sliders Breathe
Red Eared Sliders breathe air, just as mammals do. They are semi-aquatic, which means they require both land and water. They inhale and exhale through their nose, and bring air into their lungs. Their torso is very different, however. When you breathe, your torso contracts and expands.
The Red Eared Slider has ribs around their lungs, which are attached to their shell. This means their torso can’t expand. The differences in anatomy allow the Slide to hold their breath for much longer than many animals. It also makes it easier for them to breathe.
Can Red Eared Sliders Breathe Underwater?
You may be surprised to find out that these turtles can breathe under water. They have a cloaca, which is connected to many bodily systems, including their reproductive system. It also allows them to breathe underwater. The cloaca brings in water, and then allows the turtle to take oxygen from the water. Then, the water is pushed out of their body.
This can allow the turtle to stay underwater longer than they could otherwise. However, it doesn’t allow them to take in enough oxygen indefinitely. Even though they can get oxygen from the water, they will still drown if they are under water for too long.
How Long Can Red Eared Sliders Stay Underwater?
How long a Red Eared Slider can stay underwater will vary based on its age. The ideal time for these turtles to remain under water while active is 30 minutes. They can stay underwater for 45 minutes if they are inactive or sleeping. At most, they can stay submerged for 1 hour. Baby Sliders can’t stay under water nearly as long. They can only remain under water for 15 minutes at a time. Elderly Sliders may need to come up for air more frequently than adults as well.
There is a caveat to this. Red Eared Sliders can hibernate underwater. They do this in the winter months. They will dive down to the bottom of the water. The cold causes their metabolism to slow down immensely, so they need much less oxygen. Their cloaca helps supply small amounts of oxygen during hibernation. They can remain in this state for 3 to 6 months. When the temperatures warm up, the turtle becomes active again and heads to the surface.
Red Eared Slider Drowning
The good news is, the risk of a Red Slider drowning is very low if you have their tank set up properly. It’s important to know how to set up your turtle’s tank, and how to know if they are drowning.
Setting up the Tank
You’ll need to put water in the tank, but how much? Your turtle needs 10 gallons of water for each inch of shell length. For example, a 4 inch turtle would need 40 gallons of water. If you have two 4inch turtles, they will require 80 gallons of water.
In addition to water, your turtle needs access to land. You can use rocks stacked on top of each other, or a turtle dock. You can also place logs or smaller rock areas into the tank to give the turtle places to play.
The land area should be big enough for your turtle to rest comfortably on. Be sure that they can get onto the basking area easily to prevent drowning. Turtles also need light and heat. You can use a tank heater to keep the water between 74 to 78 degrees. The basking area should be between 90 and 95 degrees.
They also need light to metabolize their food properly. A full spectrum ultraviolet light will provide the rays they need. Avoid decorations like bags and nets. Anything your turtle can get caught in could cause them to drown.
How To Know if Your Turtle is Drowning
It can be difficult to tell if a turtle is drowning. The clearest sign is that they can’t reach the surface or land. Another sign is how long they’ve been in the water. If a turtle spends more than an hour underwater, they will likely drown. Like humans, drawing turtles become comatose. Once they become comatose, their odds of survival is 50%. If a turtle drowns, you may see them floating upside down in the water.
Can Red Eared Slider Turtles Drown FAQs
Can red eared sliders sleep underwater?
Yes. They usually sleep in or under the water at night. They can either sink to the bottom, or float on top of the water. They can inflate their throat, which allows them to float while sleeping.
How long can a Red Eared Slider remain out of water?
Red Eared Sliders need water. However, they can go for a week without access to water to swim in. It’s possible for them to survive up to a month without water, but this is not healthy for the turtle.
Can I take my Red Eared Slider out of their tank?
It’s actually a great idea to bring your turtle out of their tank. Allow them to walk around as long as the area is safe for them. This gives them exercise and mental stimulation. It can also increase the bond you have with your turtle.
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