{"product_id":"charcoal-red-eared-slider","title":"CHARCOAL RED-EARED SLIDER","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCharcoal Red-Eared Slider Turtle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003echarcoal red-eared slider\u003c\/strong\u003e is a color morph of the red-eared slider, \u003cem\u003eTrachemys scripta elegans\u003c\/em\u003e. “Charcoal” generally describes a darker, muted coloration rather than a separate species. Like standard red-eared sliders, it is a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle that spends much of its time swimming but requires a completely dry basking area. \u003cspan\u003eReptiFiles+1 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed-eared sliders are native to the \u003cstrong\u003esouthern and central United States and northern Mexico\u003c\/strong\u003e, where they inhabit ponds, lakes, swamps, canals, and slow-moving rivers. They are now kept throughout the world and have become invasive in many areas when unwanted pets are released into the wild. \u003cspan\u003eAnimal Diversity Web+1 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed-eared sliders are \u003cstrong\u003eomnivores\u003c\/strong\u003e, with their diet changing as they mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYoung turtles:\u003c\/strong\u003e Require more animal protein, such as quality aquatic-turtle pellets, insects, worms, and other appropriately sized aquatic prey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdults:\u003c\/strong\u003e Should eat predominantly plant matter, including dark leafy greens and aquatic plants, supplemented with a quality turtle pellet and occasional animal protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood greens include \u003cstrong\u003ecollard, mustard, turnip, and dandelion greens\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid relying on feeder fish or meat as the primary diet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a source of calcium and maintain appropriate UVB exposure to support shell and bone health.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWild adults naturally consume substantial amounts of aquatic vegetation while still opportunistically eating insects, mollusks, fish, and other small animals. \u003cspan\u003eAnimal Diversity Web+1 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTank Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese turtles grow dramatically from the tiny hatchlings commonly sold in pet stores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA useful minimum guideline is \u003cstrong\u003eabout 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length\u003c\/strong\u003e, although more space is preferable. Adult turtles generally require \u003cstrong\u003eat least 75–100 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a \u003cstrong\u003e120-gallon or larger setup\u003c\/strong\u003e providing a more comfortable long-term habitat, particularly for a large female. \u003cspan\u003eReptination+1 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe enclosure should include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep, clean swimming water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA sturdy, completely dry basking platform\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowerful filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUVB lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA basking heat source\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA secure lid or escape-proof design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmooth decorations that cannot injure the turtle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eParameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult shell length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~8–12 in (20–30 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75–120+ gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~74–78°F (23–26°C) for adults\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasking surface\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~90–95°F (32–35°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUVB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh-quality T5 HO UVB; provide over the basking zone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting cycle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 10–12 hours\/day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAt least 1.5–2× shell length; deeper is generally better for capable swimmers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrong filter rated around 2–3× the actual tank volume\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmmonia 0 ppm; nitrite 0 ppm; keep nitrate controlled with regular water changes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasking area\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge enough for the entire turtle to get completely out of the water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished husbandry recommendations vary somewhat, particularly for exact water and basking temperatures, but they consistently emphasize \u003cstrong\u003eclean water, strong filtration, UVB, appropriate heat, and a completely dry basking platform\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan\u003ePetco+2 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult red-eared sliders commonly reach approximately \u003cstrong\u003e8–12 inches (20–30 cm) in shell length\u003c\/strong\u003e, with females usually becoming substantially larger than males. They can also live for \u003cstrong\u003e20–30 years or longer\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them a decades-long commitment. \u003cspan\u003eReptiFiles+1 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEssential Care Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlan for the adult size immediately.\u003c\/strong\u003e A hatchling may fit in a small aquarium, but it will eventually require a very large aquatic habitat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever skip UVB.\u003c\/strong\u003e UVB is essential for normal calcium metabolism and healthy shell and bone development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the basking dock completely dry.\u003c\/strong\u003e The turtle should be able to climb out of the water and dry its entire shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse strong filtration.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sliders produce considerably more waste than most aquarium fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonitor water parameters regularly\u003c\/strong\u003e and perform routine partial water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDon't use small gravel.\u003c\/strong\u003e Turtles may swallow it, potentially causing an intestinal obstruction; bare-bottom tanks or appropriately large, smooth substrate are safer options. \u003cspan\u003ePetco \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed appropriately for age.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young sliders need more protein, while adults should receive considerably more plant matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvide enrichment and swimming space.\u003c\/strong\u003e Branches, safe aquatic plants, platforms, and varied areas for exploration can make the enclosure more stimulating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever release a pet slider outdoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e They can establish invasive populations and disrupt native ecosystems. \u003cspan\u003eMN DNR \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn short:\u003c\/strong\u003e a charcoal red-eared slider may have an unusual dark appearance, but its husbandry requirements are essentially those of any red-eared slider—\u003cstrong\u003ea very large aquatic enclosure, excellent filtration, UVB, heat, a dry basking area, clean water, and a varied age-appropriate diet\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SMB 2026","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49396324794603,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0841\/0883\/7099\/files\/56E1C8F6-94F3-4877-903B-EB291E60660F.jpg?v=1789202434","url":"https:\/\/supermorphbros.com\/products\/charcoal-red-eared-slider","provider":"SMB 2026","version":"1.0","type":"link"}