How old is my quarter-sized red-bellied slider and when will she grow?

She should have an amount of pellets that would fit in her head if it was empty. that is the general guideline. She should also be eating protein (feeder fish, night crawlers, etc.) as swell as dark, leafy greens and chopped vegetables. A fully mature slider can weigh about 6.5 lbs (3kgs). It can take anywhere from 5-8 years for them to reach this size. The female of the species is larger than the male. Average length between 1 and 2 years is probably 4-5 inches. Weight will vary greatly based on genetics, diet and environmental parameters so it is difficult to give one number with any certainty. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Depending on diet and environment, it may take as long as 5-8 years (or longer) for her to reach adult size. Female turtles typically take longer to grow since they are bigger than males. Blanding females also mature sexually much later (14-20 years). Because of this, they are considered "endangered" throughout most of their range.

Thanks for reaching out about Shelley. Don't think there is a specific answer as metabolism depends on so many variables: water temperature, age, sex, and other parameters. But it sounds as if she is still hungry and recommend feeding twice daily. Monitor body score for becoming overweight. Good luck.

Juveniles smaller than about 4 inches are difficult to sex. Once they reach that size or larger, it is quite simple.Female sliders are larger, have shorter front claws and thinner. smaller tails than males. Males can be territorial and could "argue" if the tank is not of sufficient size. Ideally, you want to allow about 10 gallons per inch of turtle. Sliders can get big (12 inches fully grown), so be sure you have the space and budget for a large tank.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When cared for appropriately, they can live 20-30 years. I think that the other turtle probably died of something other than due to Bonnie eating most of the food but that could have been possible in theory. Best of luck!

Hi. I'm glad you checked. Red rated sliders can be fun pets but they also require specialized environment and care. She should eat some live feeder fish, some plant matter and only about 25% of her diet should be commercial pellets. Be sure she has an area to get out of the water in her tank, she needs a basking light for warmth and full spectrum UV lighting. Housing is the number one reason that sliders get sick or die in captivity so please take the time to get her set up correctly. Here is a great beginner article for RES care. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

An adult slider should have at least 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length. Bigger is always better though, so if budget and space allow then try for a 75 or even 90 gallon tank. Provide a UVB light source unblocked by glass, plexiglass or fine mesh. Heat sources (for the water and for basking out of the water) are also necessary. A basking platform out of the water should be provided. Use a filter that is rated for at least twice the volume of any tank you choose. This will help maintain water quality. You can read more about keeping sliders at the links below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/