How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get?

Written by Emmanuel Kingsley
Updated: October 30, 2023
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Red-Eared Sliders are one of the most popular species of turtle kept as pets. They are easily identified with the peculiar red stripes behind their ears, plus the presence of yellowish ribbons all-around their green bodies and along the verge of their dark olive-green shell.

If you’re new to the pet space and are looking to own a turtle, then the red-eared slider is one to consider. It is cheap, simple to breed, and small-sized. Red-eared sliders’ small size means they’re fit for small apartments, though the amount of room available for them to roam contributes to their growth rate.

Like most new pet owners, it’s totally normal for you to obsess about the size and development of your pet. Hence, in this article, you’ll learn about how big red-eared sliders get and factors that contribute to their growth rate. 

How Big Do Red Eared Sliders Get?

Red-eared Slider

Red-eared sliders grow 12 inches long.

©effective stock photos/Shutterstock.com

Red-eared sliders raised under ideal conditions will grow 12 inches long. However, there are few instances of adult red-eared sliders getting longer than 12 inches. Also, it is typical for female red-eared sliders to be larger than males.

With proper care given to your red-eared slider, it can effortlessly live as long as 20 years, even longer. 

Red Eared Sliders have the fastest growth rate within the first few years of their lives. They usually grow up to 1.1 to 1.6 inches within their first year. In their second year, they can attain a length of about 2.3 inches, then 4 inches in their third year, and 4.5 inches in their fourth year.

Generally, female red-eared sliders reach sexual maturity at 6 inches and 4 inches for their male counterparts. This happens between the ages of 5 to 6.

Furthermore, it can take red-eared sliders about 8 full years to attain their full length, which is often between 7 to 12 inches. The growth rate differs from one slider to another, differing by one or two inches.

What Factors Affect the Growth of Red-Eared Sliders? 

Types of pond turtles - Red-Eared Slider

Female and male red-eared sliders reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 years old.

©xbrchx/Shutterstock.com

Apart from the environment in which these turtles are placed, there are some other factors that will determine their size.

Diet

The kind of food you feed your red-eared sliders will determine their growth. Since they are omnivores, a healthy baby turtle would accept a variety of foods.

On the other hand, not all types of food will produce the same effects on their growth rate. Red-eared sliders eat a diet that comprises fruits, meat, vegetables, etc. A balanced diet is crucial in raising a healthy turtle. Hence, giving your turtle a protein-based diet such as pellets will most influence their overall growth.

An example of the varieties you can occasionally offer them include crickets, earthworms, super worms, leafy greens, and freeze-dried shrimp or krill.

Gender

Gender difference is another factor that determines the size of red-eared sliders. During the juvenile period, it is hard to differentiate the male red-eared sliders from the females because they look the same. But as they grow, they start looking different from each other. Female red-eared sliders grow faster and bigger than males.

What is the Difference Between Red-Eared Sliders and Painted Turtles?

While adult female red-eared sliders grow up to about 10 to 12 inches, adult female painted turtles, on average, grow up to about 5.5 to 10 inches.

Also, unlike adult male red-eared sliders that grow as long as 7 to 9 inches, adult male painted turtles, on average, grow up to around 3.5 to 7 inches.

Some people with small spaces to work with might prefer to own painted turtles rather than red-eared sliders as pets. This is because painted turtles are considerably smaller than red-eared sliders. 

Interestingly enough, if you’re a big turtle enthusiast, you can afford to keep both painted turtles and red-eared sliders together in the same pond or aquarium.

What Habitat Size is Appropriate for a Red-Eared Slider?

Red-Eared Slider Price - Red-Eared Slider in Aquarium

©iStock.com/slowmotiongli

Young red-eared sliders require an aquarium of 20 gallons. But when they become fully grown, they will require an aquarium of a minimum of 50 gallons capacity. Preferably, there should be the provision of about 10 gallons of water for each inch of shell length for every turtle. That’s to say, a 3-inch-long turtle will require about 30 gallons of water, and two 3-inch-long turtles will require about 60 gallons of water. As you can imagine, a red-eared slider that might grow as long as 12 inches will certainly need enough space to move around comfortably.

If you’re not clear on the requirements for housing red-eared sliders, you can learn more about it in this guide.

Interesting Facts About Red-Eared Sliders

  • Red-eared sliders are exceptional swimmers, but they make use of a good deal of their time basking on logs, rocks, and in the sun.
  • Red-eared sliders have good vision, but their hearing is poor. Whenever they are threatened or startled, they hastily slide off logs/rocks back into the water. Hence, the name “sliders.”

Do Red-Eared Sliders Like to be Held?

red-eared slider turtle climbing out of water

Red-eared slider turtles typically do not have the ability to bond with their owners.

©iStock.com/MriyaWildlife

Red-eared sliders generally do not like to be held or handled and would prefer to be left alone. They are not affectionate reptiles and not only can excessive handling cause chronic stress, if done incorrectly can lead them to become ill. As wild animals that have not been domesticated, they typically do not have the ability to bond with their owners or any other humans. As solitary animals, they view touching and/or holding only necessary with other animals for reproduction or for when they are on the hunt.

However, like many animals, they do have the ability to learn to enjoy handling a bit better. While they may not like it, it won’t always be a stressful situation. It is easiest for them to learn this behavior when they are young, or still a hatchling, but even at an older age you should be able to get them used to positive interactions with you.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/PaulReevesPhotography


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