If you own a pet turtle, you are probably aware of some of their peculiar behavior and weird tendencies. In today’s article, we will explain why red eared sliders chip. Red-eared sliders usually chirp when they are basking, but they can also chirp when they are underwater.
While this article focuses mainly on red-eared sliders, most of the information is applicable to all types of pet turtles. Read below to see what causes this behavior.
Why is my red eared slider chirping?
The main reasons your red-eared slider is chirping is because of boredom, hunger, stress, and respiratory illness.
Read each section below to see what is causing your red-eared slider to chirp.
Boredom
It is important to remember that a pet turtle is confined to a very small space for their entire life. While they usually have enough space to swim around, it can get very boring them. This is especially true if your turtle is the only animal in the tank.
Therefore, a turtle will want to draw attention in order to help curb their boredom. This is why many of them will start to chirp. Since a chirp is a high-pitched sound, it can travel long and far. Your turtle knows this, which is why they make this sound to get your attention.
Hunger
On a similar note, a turtle will also chirp if they are hungry. This is especially true if they start to chirp every time you enter the room. They do this because they associate your presence with feeding time. While it may be tempting, you should remember to only feed your turtle twice a day. Turtles are opportunistic feeders which mean they will sometimes beg for food even if they are full.
Obesity is a common cause of death for pet turtles, and therefore you should be careful not to overfeed your turtles, even if they are chirping.
Stress
Unfortunately, it is common for turtles to become stressed in their tank. This can stem from a variety of issues, including a small tank, illnesses, or if your turtle tank stinks. It is important to keep your eye out for other symptoms of stress in turtles, which include loss of appetite and erratic behavior. To help your turtle feel less stressed, always make sure the water in their tank is clean.
Respiratory illness
Last but not least, your red-eared slider might be chirping because they have a respiratory illness. While it is not as common as the other reasons, it is definitely the most serious. In fact, it is another common reason why pet turtles die. The key to identifying a respiratory illness is to observe your turtle for other symptoms of respiratory illness.
A turtle with a respiratory illness will likely have trouble breathing. This can cause them to start wheezing, and in serious cases can cause a cough. Turtles that have a respiratory illness might also have mucus or other white residue on their mouth or nose. If you notice your turtle has discharge on their face, you should wipe it off.
Serious symptoms of respiratory illness include lethargy and loss of appetite. If you notice your turtle is losing mobility, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible. Your vet will likely administer some antibiotics to help treat the respiratory illness.
Conclusion
Chirping in red-eared sliders is relatively normal and there is no need to worry. The only exception is if you notice your turtle has other symptoms that might signal, they are stressed or have a respiratory illness.