Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Most common pet turtle in North America. Semi-aquatic omnivore — juveniles are 60–70% carnivorous, adults shift to 75–90% plant matter. Requires full aquatic setup with basking area, UVB, and water filtration. Adults become more herbivorous with age.
Setting up for a Red-eared Slider?
Vetted UVB, substrate, food, and supplement picks in one place.
Safe to feed(15)
Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
Allow continuous access in tank or outdoor pond.
Crickets
Acheta domesticus
Juveniles: twice per week. Adults: once per week.
Earthworms
Lumbricus terrestris
Juveniles: 2–3 times per week. Adults: once per week.
Feeder Fish
Poecilia reticulata
Adults: once or twice per week. Not recommended for juveniles as a regular food.
Blueberries
Vaccinium corymbosum
Occasional treat — a few pieces once or twice per week.
Strawberries
Fragaria × ananassa
Occasional treat — a few pieces once or twice per week.
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Keep live in tank for continuous grazing.
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Float in tank as an occasional grazing option.
Collard Greens
Brassica oleracea var. viridis
Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: daily or every other day.
Dandelion Greens
Taraxacum officinale
Adults: daily greens offering. Juveniles: daily alongside protein.
Mustard Greens
Brassica juncea
Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: offer alongside other greens.
Endive
Cichorium endivia
Include regularly in plant portion.
Romaine Lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green. Mix with higher-nutrition greens.
Duckweed
Lemna sp.
Can be kept live in tank and grazed freely.
Aquatic Turtle Pellets
Juveniles: daily, 2–3 pellets per inch of shell. Adults: every 2–3 days.
Feed with caution(4)
Beet Greens
Beta vulgaris var. conditiva
Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.
Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Once per week maximum.
Mealworms
Tenebrio molitor
Once per week maximum, small number. Not a staple protein source.