Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Yellow belly turtle, also known as yellow-bellied turtles, are very popular aquarium turtles. They can live a long time. Some even reach 40 years when kept in captivity. Unlike frogs, these turtles love spending time in the water, but they also need to come out sometimes to dry off and relax. Doug Mader says,
“Yellow belly turtles: a golden treasure in the world of reptiles, radiating warmth and tranquility.”
Taking yellow belly turtle care is relatively easy compared to other turtles. But just like any aquatic turtle, they need a clean tank and attention. Yellow belly turtle are similar to red-eared sliders and grow quite big, so they need a spacious tank when they’re adults.
Their shells are brown or black with yellow lines, which makes them easy to spot. They also have black spots on their yellow bellies, where their name comes from. They are originally from the Southeast of the United States, from Florida to Virginia. Yellow belly turtle price is between $299.95 – $698.00. In this article we will discuss more about Yellow belly turtle.
Yellow Belly Turtle Species Overview
| Species Overview | |
| Common Name | Yellow-bellied slider, yellow-bellied terrapin |
| Scientific Name | Trachemys scripta scripta |
| Adult Size | Males: Up to 9 inches long. Females: Up to 13 inches long |
| Life Expectancy | 30 to 40 years |
Yellow-Belly Turtle Behavior
During the day, the Yellow-Belly Turtle, sometimes called the slider, is most active. In their native environment, they spend much time basking in the morning sun and prefer eating early in the morning. Yellow-belly turtles still prefer daytime activity, even when kept as pets.
Yellow-Belly Turtles, like other turtles, dislike being handled excessively. It stresses them out. Although they might get used to it with time, they might try to bite if they feel scared or threatened.
These curious and friendly reptiles can be fun pets if you take good care of them. They may not be as cuddly as dogs or cats, but Yellow-Belly Turtles often have interesting personalities that make them special to their owners.
Yellow Belly Turtle Size
Adult male yellow-bellied sliders, also known as yellow belly turtles, typically reach lengths of between 5 and 9 inches (13 to 23 cm), while females can reach lengths of between 8 and 13 inches (20 to 33 cm). Yellow belly turtles are also known as yellow abdomen sliders.
Yellow Belly Turtle Diet
Grown-up yellow-belly turtles eat a mix of plants and meat, but they mostly prefer plants. When they’re young, they eat more meat.
Some common foods for them include fish, tadpoles, spiders, snails, bugs, and crayfish. They like water bugs, especially dragonfly larvae. Sometimes, they eat dead animals, too. Plants like seeds, leaves, algae, roots, and stems.
Yellow Belly Turtle Habitat
Slider turtles live in many ponds and streams in the Southeast. The yellow-belly turtle can be found in different places like Carolina bays, swamps, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Sometimes, they even move across land to get to other water areas.
Yellow Belly Turtle Water Temperature
Yellow belly turtles need the water to be warm, ideally between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, all the time. Using a thermometer, especially at night, you can check if the temperature is right.
Yellow-Bellied Slider Housing
For young Yellow-Bellied Sliders, aquariums work well, but as they grow, you’ll need a bigger space. About 75 to 100 gallons is the perfect tank size for mature sliders. If you’re keeping them indoors, provide a basking dock and maintain clean water.
A strong filter is essential because these turtles urinate and eat directly in their water. Its water-cleaning capacity should be at least double the tank’s capacity. Not having a filter means you’ll have to change out part of the water weekly, which are an annoyance and a pain.
Dirty water can make your turtle sick. Before using tap water, could you treat it with a water conditioner? This removes chlorine that can harm your turtle or mess with the filter.
If you have a safe outdoor area with a pond and a fence to keep out predators, let your turtle spend some time outside. Some owners make big indoor ponds using special liners. Remember, all indoor turtles need good lighting to stay healthy.
Light
Make sure turtles get enough UVB and UVA radiation. These ultraviolet (UV) rays usually come from direct sunlight or a specialized lamp. These UV lights will be required by aquatic turtles for around 12 hours daily, all year round. Every six months, change out the UV light bulbs. Sunlight alone will be enough ultraviolet light for your yellow-bellied slider if it lives outside.
Heat
Due to their lack of thermoregulation mechanisms, turtles are classified as cold-blooded. To stay warm, they seek sunny locations. If you prefer to keep your turtle inside, you must provide a warm basking area at least 88 degrees Fahrenheit. For this, a 60- or 100-watt light bulb will work. Think about getting a hybrid bulb that emits heat and UV light; turtles require both for proper growth.
Yellow-Bellied Sliders Feeding
Yellow-Bellied Sliders eat both plants and animals. Could you give young turtles a mix of both twice a day? They should mostly eat veggies when they’re older (around 2 to 5 years).
Start with commercial turtle pellets, and add other foods like dark greens (romaine or dandelion), apples, and freeze-dried shrimp. Feed them only what they can eat in about 15 minutes, and then remove any leftovers.
The occasional bug or fish is fine, but avoid fatty fish and high-protein meats. Their diet should be mostly vegetables.
Although it may be more work initially, feeding them outside their tank will keep their habitat cleaner.
Choosing Your Yellow-Bellied Slider
Please make sure the yellow-belly turtle is healthy before you get it. Verify that its eyes are open and not swollen or running. Â Also, feel its shell to ensure it’s not soft or rough, which could mean it’s sick. When you try to pick it up, it should try to hide in its shell or swim away, which is normal for turtles.
It’s best to buy your turtle from a good breeder who knows its health and background. Turtles bred in captivity are better than those caught in the wild. A yellow belly turtle costs between $10 and $20; however, an adult turtle costs between $60 and $100 due to the additional care required.
Can Yellow Belly Turtle Bite?
Yes, Yellow Belly Turtles can bite. They have sharp beaks they use to catch and tear their food. Usually, they bite when they feel scared or surprised, or sometimes when they’re being held.
These bites aren’t usually dangerous to people, but they can hurt and break the skin if the turtle is big or bites hard. To prevent bites, handling them gently and giving them space is important.
Yellow Belly Turtle Pet
The Yellow Belly Turtle, also known as the Yellow-Bellied Slider, is a popular pet reptile. They have distinctive yellow markings on their bellies, hence the name.
These turtles require a spacious tank with both water and land areas. With proper care, they can live for several decades, providing joy to their owners.
Yellow-Bellied Slider Tank Setup
To create a comfortable habitat for your yellow belly turtle tank, you’ll need to focus on two main areas: land and water.
As a first step, ensure the aquarium has some terrestrial space. To maintain a comfortable internal temperature and to bask in the sun, these turtles need land, even though they spend most of their time swimming.
You may accomplish this in two ways use substrate materials to create an artificial land area or a floating perch to provide your turtle a place to climb. The perch should be big enough for your turtle to bask and swim about without problems. The water part of a yellow belly turtle’s aquarium is what we’ll be discussing now.
First, prepare the bottom of the tank by spreading coated gravel or riverbed sand. Before you put it in the cage, make sure it’s clean.
The next step is to fill the tank with plants. These real or fake plants are essential for the turtles’ comfort. Combining submerged and floating plants will help them feel more at home by simulating their natural habitat.
Invest in a dependable filtering system to keep the water quality. Whether you use a conventional hang-on-back filter or a submersible biological filter, ensure it can treat the tank’s water capacity three times over.
The high volume of excrement produced by yellow-bellied sliders can cause ammonia levels in the water to rise rapidly. Your turtle will live in an environment free of harmful waste thanks to a powerful filtration system.
Common Health Problems
Yellow belly turtles, like any other living creature, can suffer from various health issues that can affect their well-being. It’s crucial for turtle owners to be aware of these problems and take appropriate action to address them promptly. Here are some common health concerns for yellow belly turtles:
Pneumonia And Respiratory Infections: The ability to scuba dive is essential for yellow belly turtles. If they have difficulty diving or constantly float, it could be a sign of pneumonia or a respiratory infection. Symptoms may include bulging or closed eyes, wheezing, and drooling.
Shell Rot And Fungal Infections: Shell rot can occur if the turtle’s shell becomes fragile, uneven, or covered in algae. This condition can be painful and uncomfortable for the turtle.
Fungal infections are another concern for turtles, causing discomfort and potentially leading to further complications if left untreated.
Vitamin Deficiency And Metabolic Bone Disease: Vitamin deficiency and MBD are prevalent issues in yellow belly turtles, often resulting from inadequate exposure to light or poor diet.
Metabolic bone disease is extremely painful for turtles and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Regularly changing UVB and heat bulbs can help maintain the turtle’s health by providing the necessary light and warmth.
See a specialist vet for reptiles if you see any disease symptoms. If caught early, the majority of these issues are treatable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yellow Belly Turtle Lifespan?
Yellow-bellied sliders can live on average for 25 to 30 years in the wild.
Do Turtles With Yellow Bellies Require Water?
Being semi-aquatic, they live mostly in the water but do not spend it entirely there. They require a variety of plants and sun-dwelling areas. Large groups of sliders are observed lounging near a water source. If not completely, then the water must be freshwater.
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