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Learn how to care for terrestrial turtles, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to setup your reptiles terrarium to ensure your reptile lives a wholesome & happy life. Shop at your local Petco for all reptile terrarium needs.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for a monitor lizard, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for tropical lizards, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for Freshwater Amphibians, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
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 Boop by Petco.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
What you have is a species of slider. It could be a Yellow Bellied Slider. First, be sure it is legal in your state/county to keep a wild caught slider. You will need a tank large enough to provide swimming and basking areas. The general guideline is 10 gallons per inch of turtle. Choose a strong filter to help maintain water quality. It should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. You will likely need to perform partial water changes every few weeks though. Other necessary items include: a heat lamp over a basking area, a basking area easily accessible from the water, UVB lighting and a submersible water heater. Feed a balanced diet of animal protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.), fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. A multivitamin and a calcium supplement will also be needed. Consider having the turtle examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre-existing condit
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Maintain pristine water quality and proper water temperature. Provide a basking area with a heat lamp and unfiltered UVB lighting. Feed a balanced diet including prey (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc), fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. Provide a multivitamin and calcium supplement in powdered forms. These can be sprinkled on the food. Bits of raw beef heart can be used to stimulate the appetite. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to cleanse the shell daily. Allow for a 1 hour dry dock (keep him out of the water) after each cleaning. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to confirm the infection and to administer medication if indicated.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
The swollen eyes may be due to a vitamin A deficiency. You can pick up Repti Turtle Eye Drops by Zoo Med ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops ) at the local Petco. Follow label directions. Next, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. The symptoms described could be a respiratory infection. Unfortunately, you will need to see a veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. You can take Jeffrey to the local clinic. The veterinarian may be able to consult with a specialist to devise a treatment plan. The antibiotics used are the same that are used in dogs and cats. Review slider care at the links below. I have also included a link to find the nearest veterinarian with experience treating reptiles. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.or
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out about Sebastian and including pictures. Points of interest to investigate would be: (1) heat support in the water, (2) nutrition, and (3) water quality. If the water temperature gets too low, turtles will slow and stop eating (acting as if hibernating). The water quality needs to be kept clean to decrease bacterial and algal overgrowth. Regarding nutrition, the package of pellets needs to be changed every 3-4 months as vitamins degrade quickly. Offering diced vegetables and whole fish (goldfish, tetras) can provide exercise and nutrition. If Sebastian remains quiet and lethargic, a visit to a reptilian veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025