Happy Turtle's Pub - Online Turtle Forum

To visit the forum click here.





Housing turtles outdoors is possible. If just housing them outside for the summer (or all year in warmer climates), a children's wading pool or large plastic tub can be used. Tubs such as those used to water livestock may have a drain in them to make cleaning easier. Be sure that the sides are high enough, as sliders can climb surprisingly well. It should have some rocks or logs so that the turtle can bask and dry out. It should be located in an area where there is sun and shade throughout the day so that it can have a choice of temperatures.

A pond can also be set up, but this is a bit more complicated. You will need to consult a book on ponds for the details on how to properly construct one. Turtles can climb out or dig their way out, so it is likely that your animal will take a hike (literally!) You must put a fence around the pond and it must be buried deep enough that the turtle cannot escape. It also should have enough dirt/mud around it so that the turtle can burrow in for the winter.

It is advisable to cover the pond or pool as well, since predators such as raccoons or cats can make a meal of your turtle. You can construct a frame to fit the size of your habitat and then cover it with screen.

During the summer months I take the turtles outside and let them hang out in a small kiddie pool. They really seem to love the larger swimming space and the unfiltered sun. We just stick a few rocks in the pool and they bask away all day. We place a piece of green plastic fencing over the pool to avoid the possibility of the turtles climbing out of the pool or the dog grabbing one and running off with it :) I'm sure chicken wire would work just as well.

A red eared slider is perfectly capable to survive outdoors in our climate, even though they do not get as old as their species that live in captivity indoors. But your pond must fulfil to a number of conditions in order to raise the chance that they will survive. At least one part of the pond must face south, so that the turtles can enjoy every ray of sun. The pond also has to be at least 80 cm deep and the bottom has to be muddy, so the turtles can retire there during their winter sleep. Give them high-quality granular fish food or high-quality granular koi-carp food and your turtles loves it. Cover a sunny part for the winter with glass or transparent foil, so the turtles can take a sunbathe in the winter without lying in the wind or cold. Red eared sliders cannot be placed in a pond before they are 15cm long and they are 100% healthy. Place your turtle in a pond in the warm months such as June or July, do not do it any later because than the turtles have not enough time to get used to the cold before the winter comes, and it might be freezing at night. In general, the turtles can be kept together with goldfishes and koi-carps. If the turtles do eat the fish, then they get seriously ill in 99 of 100 cases. Sometimes a turtles catches a fin, but they usually grow back on and has no permanent damage.


Outdoor and indoor turtle ponds





TurtlePub Staff - Webmaster - E-mail
