Red-eared sliders are great pets. They are relatively low maintenance, and it is awesome to observe them swimming around the tank. Unfortunately, just like any other pet, they do eventually die.
Most pet red-eared sliders live for around 20 years. However, that is if they live in the proper conditions and are fed a healthy, balanced diet. Now you might be wondering what causes these pet turtles to die.
Red-eared sliders can die suddenly, especially if they are over 15 years of age. In today’s article, we are going to cover the main reasons why red-eared sliders die suddenly.
Why did my red-eared slider die suddenly?
The main reasons red-eared sliders die suddenly is because of respiratory illness, overfeeding, unbalanced diet, and inadequate environment.
Respiratory Illness
Most respiratory illnesses in turtles are caused by bacteria. The respiratory illness attacks the turtle’s lungs and makes many of the natural body functions (like breathing) very difficult.
If you think your turtle has a respiratory illness, you should get this reptile immune support.
A respiratory illness can also attack your turtle’s kidney, which controls many important functions of the body. An older turtle can die from a respiratory illness in a matter of days if not treated.
The key to treating a respiratory illness in a turtle is to spot the symptoms early. Some of the most common symptoms include bubbles coming from the mouth as well as discharge on the nose or mouth.
A turtle with a respiratory illness will also have trouble breathing. You might see them wheezing for air or even choking.
Overfeeding
Unfortunately, overfeeding is one of the leading causes of death for pet turtles. It can be very hard to control yourself when your turtle is constantly begging for food. It is important to remember that turtles are opportunistic eaters, so they will beg for food even if they are already full.
I recommend only feeding your turtle once a day. You should alternate between pellets and leafy vegetables.
A turtle that is overfed might start pyramiding. This happens when their shell starts to concave upward. When a turtle is overfed, their arteries can become clogged, and they can even become lethargic.
Unbalanced diet
An unbalanced diet is another reason why your red-eared slider might have died suddenly. The most important vitamins for a pet turtle is Vitamin A and Vitamin D. While these should be in the pellets and leafy vegetables you feed them, this is not always the case.
You can get turtle Vitamin D Supplements here.
Some vegetables that are high in Vitamin A include carrots, squash, and dark leafy greens. Most pellets contain vitamin D3 as wells as calcium, which is also important for the health and growth of your turtle. Your turtle can also get D3 from basking.
Aside from the vitamins listed above, it is also good for a turtle to have vitamin E.
An unbalanced diet can also be the reason why your red-eared slider is not growing.
Inadequate environment
Unfortunately, a lot of times a red-eared slider will die do to the error of the owner. The most common mistakes I see from pet-owners is inadequate basking platforms and tanks that are too small.
It is essential that your red-eared slider has a basking spot that is completely dry and near a UVA UVB light. The basking platform should also be very accessible for your turtle. If it is hard for them to climb up to it, they might ignore it which will certainly lead to health issues.
Many turtle owners don’t realize how big of a tank they really need to keep their turtle healthy. The general rule is to have a tank that has at least 10 gallons for each inch of your turtle’s shell. Therefore, a red-eared slider that is 7 inches long should have a tank that is at least 70 gallons.
When a turtle is in too small of a tank, they will certainly become stressed. This can lead to the onset of many different diseases. Additionally, a turtle that is in too small of a tank will not have enough space to properly swim and exercise. This can lead to obesity, which can lead to a quick death.
How to prevent your turtle from dying suddenly?
The key to preventing your turtle from dying is to provide a healthy environment. Your tank should be big enough, have an adequate basking platform, and the water temperature should be around 76 degrees fahrenheight if you have a red-eared slider. It is also important to have a filter in order to keep the water clean and prevent the growth of bacteria. You can learn more in my article about why did my turtle die?
Another key to a healthy turtle is to check up on them daily. The earlier you spot something is wrong with them, the faster you can act and try to save them.
Signs your turtle is dying
While this list is not exhaustive, here are some of the most common signs of a dying turtle:
- trouble breathing
- not eating
- not moving
- rotting shell
- inability to swim
- discharge on their face
