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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
What should I feed my red ear slider with shell pyramiding and how often?Also which heat lamp would you recommend?Picture 1 or 2?How many watts should I get for the heat lamp?
3 Answers

Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM
Veterinarian
Published on June 18th, 2018
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on June 18th, 2018
Feed as many pellets as would fit in her head if it was empty. Do this once daily. Offer greens daily, in the morning about 2 hours after the heat/light comes on. Supplement with a multivitamin and calcium supplement several times a week. I like Rep-Cal HerptiVite and Rep-Cal Calcium (w/o D3 as long as she has UVB lighting).
An incandescent bulb or spot light will be sufficient for use as a heat lamp. Use thermometers or an infrared temperature gun to monitor ambient temp and basking spot temp.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on June 19th, 2018
Plant matter should make up 50% of the diet with the other half divided between commercial pellets and animal protein/prey. Juveniles should be fed daily. These little guys are eating machines, so you can offer greens in the morning and pellets later or you can alternate days.
Any basic lamp/reflector can be used. Start with a 100 watt bulb. If the temps are too high, use a lower wattage bulb or move the lamp farther away. This is where using thermometers can help you regulate heat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful