The Red Eared Slider is the world’s, and indeed Dubai’s, most popular pet turtle. Dubai clinics see a minimum of two to three of these turtles per week, frequently purchased at local pet shops and markets for as little as Dhs 20 as companions for children or busy professionals who lack the resources for a more expensive or time consuming pet.
Naturally very cute as babies, they are often bought impulsively. They are inexpensive and are often assumed to be ‘low maintenance’. Sadly, Dr Joanna at 2 Feet 4 Paws highlights the myths surrounding these animals; stating “not only can these turtles grow up to 25cm, but their habitats actually need a lot of care, which can not only be time consuming, but costly. Just because you are able to pick up a turtle for Dhs 20, this doesn’t mean that this is the true cost. Turtles need close monitoring of their environments and nutrition or they will be lucky to survive a year”. Whilst these turtles have been known to live up to 70 years in the wild, the vast majority in captivity fall victim to malnutrition and poor habitats long before they reach one year.
Nearly all cases seen at 2 Feet 4 Paws support the above statement with avoidable illnesses caused by poor nutrition and inappropriate housing. The clinic has developed Terrapin care handouts to help educate the public, however, by the time they see them it’s often too late to save them. In many cases, inappropriate conditions at vendors can mean the Terrapins are critically ill before they even reach the owners homes.
Dr Joanna advises people to remember “sliders need both a warm, dry area with basking lamp and a large pool of warm water. The water must be kept clean; rotting bits of food mixed with faeces will combine to make an unhealthy habitat and a sick turtle. Turtles are messy eaters and defecate in their water, so cleaning will be an almost daily routine and it is beneficial to consider an alternative tank for feeding. Keep in mind that if your turtle is not yet full grown (they grow as large as a dinner plate), you need to provide room in the tank (water and land) for him, to allow for future growth”. Dr Joanna also highlights that Terrapins are cold blooded creatures and as such need strict temperature controls. “Terrapin owners should always buy an aquarium thermometer and monitor the temperature regularly in any enclosure, keeping it between 75°-86°F”.
With thanks to 2 Feet 4 Paws, call 04-5520213 or visit www.2feet4paws.ae.