redearslider.com

Hello all.

Even though my turtles have not yet become sexually mature, I am extremely interested in 'helping' them produce hatchlings in the future.

Has anybody done it before? Can you give me some tips or advice?

Thanks.

Do you really anticipate raising an entire clutch of hatchlings? They're not easy to sell because they are grossly overpopulated (at least in the US).

Outside of the U.S., Okay.
Inside NO!
There are already thousands of homeless Red Eared Sliders. We dont need more.

I'm afraid they are overpopulated in many other parts of the world too. They are hardy and aggressive compared to many species of turtle and when they've escaped into the wild, they tend to dominate, out-competing and driving out the native species. Consequently, they are on all the lists of undesirable invasive species and aren't welcome in many countries in Europe and Asia and probably elsewhere as well.

In short, there seem to be plenty of RES everywhere at least in terms of numbers and it's not a good idea to breed more.

And if you breed them and kept the little ones, what would you do with them? It would be impossible to keep them in aquariums. Only someone with a good sized lake in their backyard would be able to handle them.

In Canada, there are no such problems with RES. I believe that I will be able to sell them. So, any advice?

You are welcome to try, but I doubt you'll get much advice from this forum. We do not advocate breeding of RES and thus, no one has been breeding them that I'm aware of.

Before you start with the hatchlings, you had better know your market. Just because YOU don't think they are overpopulated and that they will sell, doesn't mean that they will. And you CANNOT release them into the wild, they are a very invasive species to most parts of the world. There should be some info on the main site (www.redearslider.com) about breeding.

littleking8888 wrote:In Canada, there are no such problems with RES. I believe that I will be able to sell them. So, any advice?

Yes, actually there IS such problems in Canada. Pet stores that have them are over populated and kept in poor conditions. People don't realize how to care for them properly, and often release them into turtle ponds thinking it is no big deal.

You're right in thinking that the RES population in Canada isn't nearly as bad as elsewhere, but why would you want to be a contributing factor into making the problem worse?

littleking8888 wrote:In Canada, there are no such problems with RES. I believe that I will be able to sell them. So, any advice?

That's not true at all. Even where I live, the RES have taken over the native populations of painted turtles.
When my mom's friend was going up, she says she used to see lots of turtles "with the red bellies" on them (western painteds). Now, you hardly see any. All the local ponds just have RES in them.

I think what everyone is saying is that you're not going to get any advise on how to breed them on this forum, since most people here are against breeding RES.

They're also on the invasive alien species list on the Government of Canada's website.

There is really no need to sell them, since as was mentioned, they're already living in undesirable situations in the pet stores.

Turtle rescue agencies like TurtleHomes are overrun with RES already. There really is no need to add more RES to the population.

I just want to do it as a sort of experiment. I'm extremely interested in science and biology, and I thought that this could be a great outlet for my passion.

I'm sure that there are at least SOME people out there who have done this before.

Please give me advice.

well im trying that now. actually when i bought a female 5 inch turtle and i moved it in with another male turtle they loved each other ever since. its like a couple. if you stay with somebody long enough you get to like them and thats happening now. they've been doing the mating dance alot and thats how you can tell. i can tell once my male sexually matures they will b producing alot of offspring during the summer days. so if you want put a male and female together and get some "grapes" running along afterwards

littleking8888 wrote:I just want to do it as a sort of experiment. I'm extremely interested in science and biology, and I thought that this could be a great outlet for my passion.

I'm sure that there are at least SOME people out there who have done this before.

Please give me advice.

This is not good sound science.
If you are interested in science and biology, I suggest reading up on the scientific method, start with the basics. What you are wanting to do here does not qualify as an experiment. An experiment involves controls and variables and comparison.

What you are wanting to do here is likely going to end up in animal cruelty; another important item that is extensively considered when scientists are experimenting with live animals.

A great "outlet" for your passion would be to read, do research, and LEARN about science and biology.

littleking8888.... As you can see no one in here like the idea. I suggest you get the info from somewhere else because most likely you not going to get it here. We understand about your science etc. but what you trying to do is a bad idea..