How to Keep a Red Eared Slider Turtle Happy

If you own a red eared slider turtle then you know how active they are. A little baby turtle will always be moving around and they are oh so curious. This article will open you up to numerous ways to keep any red eared slider turtle happy while using some imagination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic Toys

1. 
    
   Red Eared Slider Turtle

   Look into purchasing a turtle dock for your aquarium, they are rather inexpensive and your turtle will love it. These are found at pet stores and come in various sizes for different size aquariums. A floating dock attaches to the side of the aquarium with suction cups. Red eared sliders love to bask in the sun then slide into the water. Blue aquarium bulbs get warmer then the clear bulbs do, and most aquarium turtles love to bask under them.

2. Treat your newest family member to Holidays (the kids will love this idea) and that means gifts. Small plastic doll toys work very well, since they are just the right size for our turtle. At Christmas time the kids will be more excited about giving the turtle his gifts then opening their own gifts.

3. 
    
   Happy turtle on his skateboard!

   Purchase fun toys such as a hot pink plastic skateboard, which you can see in the picture this turtle adores. They will like to balance on the side of it and sometimes will even get all the way on it. The best part is your turtle can not get hurt on it and if the turtle knocks it off the dock it floats so the turtle can play with it in the water.

4. 
    
   "Sunshine" - Happy Baby Red Eared Slider Turtle

   Keep in mind each turtle is different, but a little imagination can go a long way. Set up a box of turtle toys that you have collected and change the toys each time you clean the aquarium to keep the turtle entertained for years to come. Most importantly be safe and have fun with your turtle.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to wash thoroughly any new "toy" you are adding to your turtle tank to avoid bringing in any germs to the tank.
• Do NOT give your turtle any "Toys" that are so small that the turtle could eat it.
• Treat your turtle like a small child and buy appropriate sized "toys" for your size turtle.

[jaicard]

on 11/15/2009 Great article! I love turtles and keeping them happy is top on my list! The pink skateboard is a great idea!

[alltrails]

on 9/20/2009 Good article - I like the picture of the turtle on the skateboard! 5 stars - thanks!

[poti]

on 9/17/2009 Hi, I didn't mean the toy, there was another one under the dock/basking area (but I think you removed the picture). Nice to hear that he has plenty of water.

[snakesmom]

on 9/16/2009 Hi Poti. Thank you for your concern, but this is one turtle (not two, the very small one is a toy). Also, he has plenty of water. :)