Why won't my red eared slider bask? What are ideal water and basking temps?

The water may be too cold or too deep. It should be no deeper than twice the length of the shell and between 75 F and 86 F. Use a small submersible water heater. One can be found in most pet stores. The sneezing could be a symptom of respiratory infection, especially if accompanied by discharge, blowing bubbles or "gaping" ( repeatedly opening and closing the mouth). A respiratory infection needs to be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Thanks for reaching out about Xena and including photos. The water temperature should be in the mid-70s but the basking site should reach 85-90 F with UVB exposure. If too cold, digestion, immune system and all metabolic processes are suppressed. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your aquatic turtle. Water temperature needs to be kept warm for nutrient absorption. Without pictures, it is difficult to assess the shell. Insects are important for these young animals but all worms/insects need to be gut loaded for nutrients, as otherwise are bags of fat. High calcium levels are important for shell strength. Good luck.

Juvenile turtles require warmer temperatures. Increase the water temperature to between 82F and 85F. The basking area should be around 85-88F. Make sure you have a UVB light source as well that is not blocked by plastic or glass. Feed juveniles 2-3 times daily. To keep the water cleaner, feed in a separate tank or bowl and return him to the main tank when he is done. The temp increase may be enough to perk him up again. If not, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Sustained low temps can predispose him to respiratory infection or other illnesses. Follow this link for more information regarding care and feeding of RES: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Make sure she has a good quality UV light above her no more than 12"- it should be a tube light and not a screw in kind, like a ReptiSun. Change it every 6 months. -If she won't get up to bask, make the area more inviting- put a larger platform, make sure you have a good heat light above that area, make it easy for her to get out, make sure nothing stressed her or scares her back into he water. -If it doesn't work to get her basking and then you may need to dry dock her part of the day- take her out of the water and let her bask in an empty tub or aquarium with her heat and UV lights on above her so she really dries out (make sure to leave her a cool side to go where it is not as hot so she doesn't overheat.) - You can try to soak her in dilute Betadine solution- you can purchase Betadine at the drug store and add a small amount to water to make a weak tea color and soak in water just deep enough to cover her back end 5-10 minutes once daily. This may help if their is infection unde

Thanks for reaching out about Leo. Many aquatic turtles won't bask if they feel safe. Also if the air is cool, and the heat lamp over the basking site not adequate, they might be warmer in the water. If the heat lamp is too close and too hot, Leo might feel uncomfortable. Check out those parameters and fix any problems. Good luck.

Red eared sliders are aquatic turtles. They need to be in water all the time. At that size, water depth should be no deeper than twice the length of the shell. Provide a swim area and a dock easily accessible from the water that they can climb up on. The water should be heated and filtered. Turtles also require a basking light (for heat) as well as UVB lighting. Low temps, ambient and water, can affect appetite and activity in turtles.You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Check the water temperature and ambient temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Keep the water between 24 C and 30 C. A basking spot out of the water should be 29 C to 31 C. UVB lighting should also be provided. Maintain water quality to prevent infections and feed an appropriate diet with vitamin and mineral supplementation. A vitamin A deficiency can cause swelling of the eyes. Repti-Turtle Eye Drops (by Zoo Med) can be used to help the eyes. Find it online or in the local pet store. Soak the little guy in a 50/50 mix of warm water and an electrolyte replacement beverage to maintain hydration. You can read more about care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Yes, the hour or two without light won't harm her as long as it is on at other times. Don't worry about her not basking. As stated, she'll bask when she wants. Just keep the UVB light and heat lamp on for 10-12 hours daily.

A RES requires full spectrum lighting (UVA and UVB) and lighting that provides heat. The dry dock, or basking area, should be completely out of the water. Basking temps should range between 90F and 95F (32-35C). You should place the UVA/UVB bulb as close to the heat lamp as possible. It should be no more than 12" away from your RES and should not have a barrier between it and your turtle. Glass, acrylic and plastic block UVB while screens with grids under 1/2" can obstruct a good portion of UVB rays negating the health benefits. Lighting should be on for around 12 hours a day, depending on the time of year. Full UVA/UVB bulbs need replacing every 6 months. The simplest combination for adequate lighting is a UVA/UVB fluorescent bulb and an incandescent light bulb (for heat). Incandescent light bulbs are standard household lights easily purchased at stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure your RES cannot splash water on it or come into contact with it. You can also consider halog