What kind of turtle do I have and how old is it for best care?

The images are a bit blurry. It can be difficult to keep those little guys still! It does look like a YBS. They are not native to the UK and are typically captive bred. They are quite easy to keep. They need warm, clean water, a water heater, a basing spot with an overhead heat lamp, UVB lighting, a balanced diet consisting of animal protein and plant matter, calcium supplementation and multivitamin supplementation. For now, keep water depth no deeper than twice the length of the shell. As it grows, you can increase water depth. Maintain water quality via filtration and regular water changes. Feed a varied diet of prey (appropriately sized feeder fish, earthworms, crickets, etc.) and fresh greens and vegetables. Use a calcium and vitamin supplement and provide UVB lighting. You can review slider care at the link below. It is titled for Red Eared Sliders, however, Yellow Bellied Slider care is the same. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Those are a pair of yellow belly sliders. They are common throughout your state. Returning them to the spot you found them or to the nearest body of water would be recommended as well. If you plan on keeping them, check local, state and federal wildlife laws first. Care of this species is identical to its cousin, the red eared slider. You can review care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Hello. This is a common Red Eared Slider & there is a ton of information available online, in books & at pet stores on the proper care of these turtles. Please inform yourself the best you can to give this little guy the best chance possible to have a long life. They can make very good pets. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for reaching out about your turtle. Unfortunately, there aren't great ways to calculate ages in turtles - the reason for this is that their size and physical characteristics can vary depending on their husbandry. For example, too much or too little nutrition can cause a turtle to become too large or remain very small instead of growing at a normal pace. As far as the vitamins and diet - to get advice on this, it would be important to know what species of turtle you have. There are many different species that are commonly kept as pets, and they can require very different things in their diet and environment to help them thrive and live a long and healthy life. You could repost your question with some photos, or what may be better is to have a consultation. As another alternative, you can also take your turtle to a veterinarian who is familiar with turtles, and they can assist you with this as well. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It looks like a juvenile slider. Ideally, a wild turtle should be returned to the area where found. They don't transition well to captivity Since it is a juvenile , you may have a better chance though. You can read about slider care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html You can feed a commercial pellet or stick diet supplemented with fresh greens and some protein in the form of crickets, feeder fish or nightcrawlers. The water should be no deeper than twice the length of the shell and should be heated and filtered. Provide a heat lamp and UVB lighting.

I am afraid without a photo of your turtle I cannot tell you if he or she looks healthy. You need to upload a photo for that. You can tell a male turtle by its longer tail and that the bottom of his carapace (shell) appears hollowed out, so it would easily fit on top of the rounded shell of a female. Females have a flat bottom of the shell.

Here is a complete guide that will help you know everything that needs knowing about taking care of red eared sliders (as shown in the picture): http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1797&aid=2613