Painted Turtle vs Red Air Slider: What's the Difference?

Content

• Visual differences
• At a glance
• Painted Turtle Review
• Types of painted turtles
• General health problems
• Suitable for:
• Review of the red-eared slider
• Health hazards
• Breeding
• Suitable for:
• Which species is right for you?

Choosing the right turtle can be quite difficult. It's not as simple as taking the turtles out of the pond, putting them in a tank, and feeding them lettuce. (They may enjoy lettuce, though.) Wild turtles don't do well when taken out of their homes and put into captivity. Therefore, it is best to take it to a local pet store or a trusted breeder.

But which turtle should you choosie?

There are many species of turtle available, but the two most common are the painted turtle and the red-eared slider. Read on to find out which one is the choice right for you.

Visual differences

At a glance

painted turtle

• Average size (adult): 6-10 inches.
• Average weight (adult): 18 ounces
• Lifespan: Up to 55 years.
• Tank Size: At least 20 gallons.
• Tank cleaning: Every 2 weeks.
• Family Friendly: Yes, as long as minimal handling is involved.
• Friendly to other pets: Can live with other turtles.
• Temperament: Does not enjoy human contact, bites and scratches.
• Red-eared sliders.
• Average size (adult): 6-12 inches.
• Average weight (adult): 61 lbs.
• Lifespan: 20-30 years.
• Tank Size: 50 gallon tank for one adult.
• Tank Cleaning: Every two weeks
• Family Friendly: Yes, as long as minimal handling is involved.
• Friendly to other pets: Can live with other turtles.
• Temperament: Does not enjoy human contact, bites and scratches.

Painted Turtle Review

In addition to being one of the most common turtle species in the United States, painted turtles are also among the most beautiful. These turtles are painted with vibrant stripes on their bodies and shells—thus the name. There are four main types of painted turtles: eastern painted, midland painted, western painted, and southern painted. Each has different markings and sizes that distinguish them.

Although there are differences between the different varieties, they share the same basic habits and care requirements. Painted turtles are a small to medium-sized turtle with males being smaller than the . Adults usually need a 20 gallon tank for themselves. However, if you want to maintain multiplication, you should increase the tank size by 10 gallons per turtle or use a separate containment system.

Like most turtles, painted types have strict light and temperature requirements to be at their best. Their tank water, ambient air, and basking area temperatures all need to be maintained at different set points. This can make them relatively difficult to maintain as new reptiles.

Painted turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals equally. And you should maintain that diet while they are kept in captivity. A steady diet of insects and leafy greens will help keep them full, but we recommend using real turtle food. This will ensure that your painted turtle will receive maximum nutrition.

Types of painted turtles

As we mentioned earlier, there are four different species of painted turtles, each with their own characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them now.

• Eastern Painted Turtle: This subspecies has an olive green to black upper shell with a yellow band. The outer perimeter of the upper shell has red pockmarks and the turtle's signature yellow striped face.
• Western Painted Turtle: The western subspecies is the largest of the four with a mesh-looking upper shell and yellow-striped face. The major variation in coloration for this turtle is on its underside where it is brightly colored in many different colors and spots.
• Midland Painted Turtle: This is the most difficult of the four to classify. And that's because it looks like a mix between Eastern and Western varieties. It has a western mesh-like upper shell with a beige lower and red circle markings on the east.
• Southern Painted Turtle: This turtle is easily recognized from top to bottom. It has a long vertical red stripe painted down the center of its upper shell. And while its underside is gray, the underside of the shell itself resembles the west belly. The southern variety is also the smallest of the four subspecies.

General health problems

The painted turtle is not immune to disease and has its fair share of problems. The most common problem that most people have is parasites. These are naturally found within reptiles. However, keeping a clean tank can minimize parasite problems. These can be ruled out by faecal parasite exams. Infection is another common problem that plagues these turtles.

Serious problems include metabolic bone disease and hypovitaminosis A. By feeding your pet a properly formulated turtle food, you should be able to minimize the chances of your turtle developing these disorders.

Suitable for:

If you're looking to keep a turtle, painted turtles are a great place to start. They aren't as common as the red-eared slider, but aren't nearly as large either. Their small size equates to a small tank and an easy-to-clean and maintenance-friendly habitat.

Review of the red-eared slider

The red-eared slider is a native American turtle that has quickly made its mark around the world. They are among the most popular reptile pets on the planet and are imported as pets to most countries. Unfortunately, irresponsible breeding and release of the red-eared slider has made it one of the world's most invasive species, taking over ponds, waterways and other ecosystems.

One of the main reasons many people release their red-eared sliders back into the wild is because they are not prepared for the size the species will grow to. Like most turtles, red-eared sliders start out small and cute. And for a new pet owner, it can be hard to imagine how big they'll grow. However, a fully grown adult can grow up to a foot in size and weigh more than 6 pounds.

A turtle of this size requires a large tank to thrive properly. Although you can start these turtles in 10- or 20-gallon tanks, we recommend at least a 50-gallon tank for a fully grown adult. If you plan to keep more than one turtle, you should add at least 20 gallons per turtle. Fortunately, red-eared sliders can be safely kept in captivity without fear of territorial fights with other turtle-like species or species. However, it's best to keep a close eye because every turtle is different.

Red-eared sliders can come in a variety of patterns and colors. However, the trademark red stripe where their hidden ears are usually present. They are also fairly inexpensive to start with regardless of their color appearance usually around $20. However, this cost will increase exponentially as they get older and you add to the cost of housing and feeding supplies.

Health hazards

Turtles are cute, small reptiles that are great to observe. However, they are not necessarily animal-free. In fact, turtles can be very messy if they are not checked. This can lead to potential health problems for both you and your turtle.

In addition, turtles are notorious carriers of salmonella and the red-eared slider is no exception. Most turtles harbor the disease and show no visible signs. This is why it is extremely important to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling your turtle or cleaning its tank.

Breeding

If you plan to breed your own red-eared sliders, it won't be as easy as you think. You can't just put a grown man and woman together and expect nature to take its course. To start the breeding cycle, you need to set the mood and mimic their natural environment as closely as possible. This includes preparing them for hibernation, adjusting the ambient (or tank) temperature, and providing adequate sustenance. And only then are you ready to try the mating process.

Suitable for:

Red-eared sliders are perfect for those who are ready to handle a large tortoise at home and understand the responsibility of caring for a tortoise. They are great reptiles to look at, however, they should not be handled constantly.

Which species is right for you?

Each of these different turtles has unique characteristics that make them better for some than others. They can be a bit more finicky when it comes to temperature and light requirements, but they will occupy a smaller habitat. And this makes it much easier for them to clean and learn the basic responsibilities of keeping a turtle.

However, if you've already had experience with smaller turtles and are looking for a larger one, the red-eared slider makes a great addition to any turtle enthusiast's home. They are wonderful to care for and great company to keep.