Full Grown Red-Eared Slider: Size, Appearance, Price & More
Red-eared slider turtles are one of the most popular pet turtle varieties in the world. However, many new turtle owners don’t fully understand how much these turtles will grow or change as they reach full maturity.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about fully grown red-eared sliders to determine if they are the right pet for your home and lifestyle.
About Red-Eared Slider Turtles
Red-eared sliders, also called red-eared terrapins, are semiaquatic turtles native to the eastern and central United States as well as northeastern Mexico. They get their name from the distinctive red marking behind each eye. Red-eared sliders are one of the most commonly bred varieties of turtle worldwide and are frequently sold as pets.
One of the reasons red-eared sliders are so popular as pets is because they remain fairly small for the first few years of their lives. However, what many new owners don’t realize is just how much these turtles can grow as they reach sexual maturity and full adulthood.
Size & Dimensions of a Fully Grown Red-Eared Slider
At full growth, red-eared slider turtles can reach shell lengths between 4-8 inches long. But their carapace (top shell) width is often a better indicator of their true size. Fully matured males typically have a carapace around 4-6 inches wide, while females are even larger at 5-8 inches wide.
In terms of height, a large adult red-eared slider may stand 3-4 inches tall from the bottom of the shell to the top when fully extending their neck. Their heads, tails and legs also get thicker and more pronounced.
So in terms of living space needs, you’ll want at least a 30-50 gallon tank for one full-sized turtle.
Weight at Full Maturity
Weight can also vary significantly between male and female red-eared sliders. Adult males typically weigh 1-2 pounds at full growth. However, female red-ears tend to be much heftier and can reach weights of 2-5 pounds as adults!
This weight difference makes sense considering females need to carry and protect large clutches of eggs. So while red-eared sliders may seem petite as juveniles, their sheer bulk as adults is not to be underestimated.
Appearance of a Fully Grown Red-Eared Slider
In terms of appearance, sexually mature red-eared sliders look very different than when they were babies. Their shells become dome shaped and toughen as they age. Bright orange markings on the sides of their heads and necks intensify and darken.
Males develop thicker tails for mating purposes. They may also develop slightly elongated front claws. Females gain noticeable girth especially when gravid and ready to lay eggs. The skin texture also thickens and wrinkles more with age.
Overall, fully grown red-eared sliders take on a lumbering, prehistoric look befitting their sturdy turtle anatomy. Gone is the petite appearance of youth – these turtles mean business as powerful aquatic hunters in their watery domain!
Personality of Mature Red-Eared Sliders
In terms of personality, red-eared sliders tend to mellow out as they reach maturity compared to when they were active hatchlings and juveniles. However, their prey drive remains strong into old age. Well-fed adult turtles may still eagerly gobble worms, pellets and veggies.
Signs of aggression also increase between male turtles as hormones kick in. While females tend to be more docile at all stages. Red-ears typically become less interactive with humans as adults unless repeatedly handled from a young age. But many will still tolerate gentle affection from familiar people.
Overall, the personality of a fully grown red-eared slider reflects their status as veteran predators now - alert, strong-willed but more sedate than as young turtles experiencing the world.
Price of Mature Red-Eared Sliders
When purchasing an already fully grown red-eared slider, pricing will typically fall into the following price ranges:
- Small Adult (4-6" Male): $20-30
- Medium Adult (6-7" Male): $30-50
- Large Adult Male (7"+): $50-75
- Small Adult Female (5-6"): $30-50
- Medium Adult Female (6-7"): $50-75
- Large Breeding Female (7"+): $75-150
As you can see, larger females tend to command the highest resale prices since they can be bred. But the cost of proper husbandry for an adult turtle should also be considered.
Feeding a Mature Red-Eared Slider
The diet requirements of fully grown red-eared sliders are a bit different than when they were growing juveniles. While variety is still important, the focus shifts to maintenance vs growth.
Adult red-ears primarily eat: commercial aquatic turtle pellets or flakes; frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp; fresh veggies like romaine lettuce, carrots, and dandelion greens. Protein sources should make up about 30% of their diet.
Amounts fed depend on water temperature and activity level but generally 1-2 times daily, removing uneaten food after 20 minutes. Greens can be left in tank all day. Healthy weight looks “apple shaped” from above.
During breeding season or winter brumation periods, mature red-ears may fast for long stretches but should have access to food, calcium and clean water always.
Lifespan of Red-Eared Sliders
With proper care, red-eared sliders can live 20-30+ years in captivity. Some reports suggest exceptional specimens survive into their 40s! Their lifespan greatly depends on starting health, habitat quality and preventative veterinary care.
A key factor affecting red-ear longevity is keeping the water clean and warm, between 75-85°F. As they age past 15 years, annual vet checkups are recommended to monitor potential age-related issues.
Health Concerns for Adult Red-Eared Sliders
As red-eared sliders mature, some health problems may arise if preventative measures aren’t taken:
- Metabolic bone disease from calcium deficiency
- Weak shells from lack of UVB lighting and calcium soaking
- Overgrown beaks from poor husbandry
- Floaters disease from weak swimming muscle
- Eye and respiratory infections from poor hygiene
- Obesity from overfeeding
- Organ damage from chemicals or toxins
Proper lighting, feeding a balanced diet, large clean tanks and annual checkups can help red-eared sliders stay healthy into their golden years.
Care and Nutritional Needs of Adult Turtles
When red-eared sliders reach full size, their care requirements intensify compared to juveniles:
- Minimum 75-90 gallon tank (30 gallons per red-eared slider)
- Deep water section that allows for full immersion
- Basking dock that lets them sun and warm completely out of water
- UVB lighting 10-12 hours daily for calcium processing
- Heater to keep water between 75-85°F
- Totally cycled filter sufficient for turtle bio loads
- Calcium supplements added to diet as needed
- Safe substrates (reptile carpet, slate tiles not sand/gravel)
- Spacious, cluttered habitat for exercise and stimulation
Mature red-eared sliders have complex needs that challenge even experienced keepers! Ensuring these demands are met leads to healthy, happy elderly turtles.
Cost of Keeping an Adult Red-Eared Slider
Keeping a fully grown red-eared slider requires significant financial investment and commitment over their multi-decade lifespan. Some estimated yearly costs to consider include:
- Large aquarium setup - $300-600 (for minimum 75 gallon tank)
- Strong external canister filter - $150-300
- Substrate, decor, accessories - $100-200
- UVB and heat lighting - $100-200
- Annual veterinary care - $100-300 per appointment
- Protein feeder insects - $15-30 monthly
- Frozen/fresh food variety - $30-50 monthly
- Calcium and supplement powders - $15-30 annually
- Replacing equipment every 3-5 years - $200-400
So plan for a minimum ongoing investment of $1000 the first year, and $500-1000 per year going forward to maintain a truly "lifelong" commitment to your adult turtle's health and happiness. Proper budgeting is key to ensuring their needs are fulfilled.
Behavioral Changes as Red-Ears Reach Maturity
Some noticeable behavioral adjustments may occur as red-eared sliders transition through adolescence into adulthood:
- More frequent soaking or sunbathing to process calcium and maintain shell health
- Increased activity level, bursts of speed and climbing curiosity wanes
- Adaptions for winter dormancy like decreased appetite, lethargy in colder months
- Seasonally timed nesting/breeding behaviors in females ready to reproduce
- Aggressive territorialism especially between adult male turtles
- Less interest in regular handling by humans, more independent routine focused on survival needs
Hormonal shifts influence behaviors at this stage, so be prepared for personality tweaks as well as intensified physical requirements.
Distinguishing Traits of Mature Red-Eared Sliders
A few notable physical attributes really set adult red-eared sliders apart in appearance and behavior from juvenile forms:
- Deeply domed, hardened top shell (carapace) with growth rings visible
- Larger, thicker tail with defined ridges in males for clasping during mating
- Pronounced orange coloring on neck and legs contrasts starkly with predominantly black skin
- Robust jawline and facial features, particularly in males
- Powerful back leg and tail propulsion for swimming at high speeds when required
- Bulky frames, especially in gravid females ready to reproduce egg clutches
- Wary, experienced demeanor, more self-reliant with less interactive curiosity
The fully transformed look screams "adult turtle" in these quintessential red-eared slider attributes.
Determining a Red-Eared Slider's Age of Maturity
Red-eared sliders reach sexual maturity anywhere from 5-10 years old on average, depending on gender, husbandry conditions, and individual turtle growth rate.
Some reliable signs that a red-eared has become a full-fledged adult include:
- Shell length of 4 inches or greater for males, 5 inches for females
- Distinctive secondary sex characteristics present like thickened tails in males
- Gravid lumps visible in females' tails/urogenital areas when ready to lay
- Seasonally timed breeding/nesting behaviors emerge in response to temperature/light cues
- Ability to successfully mate and produce fertile eggs in females
- Growth plates fused, maximum size potential achieved
Proper diet, habitat and preventative care maximize a red-eared slider's chances to reach full maturity and thrive thereafter.
Red-Eared Sliders as Adult Pets
While red-eared sliders remain a very popular pet choice, their suitability at the mature adult stage is debated:
Positives:- Years of enjoyment can be had raising turtles from babies.
- Well-socialized adults can still tolerate affectionate interaction.
- Established routine and large habitat needs are fulfilling for some committed owners.
- Housing/husbandry demands intensify and costs rise significantly with full growth.
- Territorialism/aggression issues emerge between adult males especially.
- Long natural lifespans require multi-decade commitment few are prepared for.
- Many adult personalities adapt best to large, low-interaction outdoor pond situations.
Overall, red-eared sliders thrive best when their complex needs at all stages are met through experienced care. New owners should carefully consider responsibility involved in properly caring for them into aging adulthood before purchasing babies.
Conclusion
As you can see, red-eared sliders morph quite dramatically from the small turtles new owners first bring home. Reaching sexual maturity brings not only larger sizes but altered behaviors, intensive housing requirements, higher costs and specialized care needs.
While red-ears make fascinating lifelong pets for dedicated owners committed to evolving care standards, prospective guardians must properly research the reality of caring for adult forms. Only with full transparency on all life stages involved can responsible placement and long-term animal welfare be ensured for these popular pet turtles.
