Red eared sliders are popular pet turtles that are well adapted to spending time in the water. Their ability to stay submerged for periods of time has long fascinated turtle owners. If you’re wondering how long these semi-aquatic turtles can hold their breath, read on for a comprehensive guide.
The quick answer is that healthy adult red eared sliders can generally stay underwater for 30-40 minutes before needing to come up for air. However, many factors impact their underwater endurance which we’ll explore in detail throughout this article.
An Overview of Red Eared Sliders
Physical Characteristics
Red eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are a popular aquatic turtle species kept as pets. They get their name from the distinctive red stripes behind their eyes. These small to medium-sized turtles have green shells, or carapaces, with a top shell length of 5-12 inches when fully grown.
Their skin is black or dark green with yellow stripes on their head, legs, and tail.
Some key physical features of red eared sliders include webbed feet for swimming, a rounded shell, and claws for digging. The red mark near their ears fades as they mature. Males are generally smaller than females on average.
Both male and female red eared sliders may hiss or bite if they feel threatened.
Native Habitat and Behavior
In the wild, red eared sliders are native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. Their natural habitats include slow-moving bodies of water such as ponds, marshes, creeks, and swamps.
They prefer areas with plentiful aquatic plants and logs or rocks above the water where they can climb out to bask in the sun and warm their bodies.
Red eared sliders spend a great deal of time in the water and are excellent swimmers. Research shows they can submerge underwater for up to 30 minutes if needed before returning to the surface for air. Typically they stay underwater for about 5-15 minutes at a time.
When resting underwater, they can slow their heart rate and go into a hibernation-like state to conserve oxygen.
These social turtles sometimes gather together in groups called basks to sleep and thermoregulate. Males in the wild can be aggressive toward each other, especially when competing for mates or prime habitat resources.
How Long Can Red Eared Sliders Stay Underwater?
Breathing and Diving Adaptations
The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) is well equipped to hold its breath underwater for extended periods of time. This semi-aquatic turtle has a specially adapted cardiovascular system that allows it to extract oxygen from the water when submerged.
Additionally, the turtle has an anatomical adaptation called the cloaca bursae which functions to temporarily store oxygen-rich air.
When under the water surface, the red-eared slider switches its regular means of breathing and instead absorbs oxygen through blood vessels in its mouth and cloaca. This allows the reptile to remain submerged while still obtaining some oxygen.
According to researchers at the University of Florida, the red-eared slider is one of the most capable freshwater turtle species in terms of underwater endurance capabilities.
Underwater Endurance Timeline
In general, the red-eared slider can remain underwater for lengthy stretches without coming up for air. Here is an overview of their expected diving durations:
- Up to 30 minutes – Common time span for casual dives and underwater resting
- 1-3 hours – Frequent maximum range in the wild and captivity
- 5+ hours – Documented cases of sliders remaining submerged for multiple hours
The feeding status, age, size, and health impact the individual turtle’s capabilities. Juvenile red-eared sliders tend to require more frequent breaths than mature adults. Well-fed individuals also demonstrate greater endurance for remaining underwater than those who have not eaten recently.
| Underwater Duration | |
|---|---|
| New hatchling | up to 20 minutes |
| Adult slider | over 5 hours |
Impacting Factors
The length of time a red-eared slider can stay submerged depends on various internal and external variables including:
- Water temperature – Warmer environments enable longer dives
- Activity level – More active turtles use up stored oxygen faster
- Predator presence – Dives extend when escaping threats
- Health status – Impacts respiration efficiency
- Age and size – Older, larger ones can hold breath longer
In a comfortable setting, the general dive time for a red-eared slider ranges from 5 minutes to a few hours. But according to the Journal of Mammalogy, in extreme cases these adaptive turtles can push past 5 hours when necessary!
Providing Proper Setup and Care
Aquarium Size and Depth
Red-eared sliders need a spacious aquarium as they grow to be quite large. Aim for at least a 75-gallon tank for an adult, with a minimum area of 8-10 square feet. The tank should also be at least 18-24 inches deep to allow for proper swimming and diving.
Insufficient space can cause stress and aggression. Give your turtle plenty of room!
Basking Area Essentials
Creating a proper basking area is crucial for red-eared sliders. They need a dry basking area completely out of the water to dry off and regulate their body temperature. Provide a large dock or ramp positioned 6-10 inches below the heat and UVB lighting.
The basking area temperature should be around 85-95°F. Be sure to provide multiple basking options so more than one turtle can bask at once.
Water Quality Considerations
Excellent water quality is vital for turtle health. Perform partial water changes of 25-50% weekly or biweekly. Use a powerful external canister filter rated for at least 2-3 times the tank volume. Strong filtration removes waste, uneaten food, and keeps water oxygenated.
Maintain water temperatures of 75-80°F. Use a submersible aquarium heater sized appropriately for the tank volume. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0ppm, and nitrate under 20ppm.
Adequate Filtration
Turtles are messy! A high-quality external canister filter is a must for any turtle tank. Canister filters provide superior mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration compared to inferior options like internal power filters.
Look for a canister filter with a flow rate rated for 2-3 times the tank’s volume to ensure optimal water turnover and circulation. Pair it with strong water movement from a circulation pump or powerhead. Proper filtration keeps water clean and removes harmful waste.
Heating
Red-eared sliders require warm water temperatures of 75-80°F. Water that is too cold can lead to lethargy, poor appetite, and increased risk of infection. An adjustable submersible aquarium heater sized appropriately for the tank is crucial.
Use a heater with 5-10 watts per gallon of actual tank water. For example, a 75-gallon tank would need a 375 to 750 watt heater. Always use a thermometer to monitor tank temperatures! Stable warm temperatures keep turtles active and healthy.
Identifying Issues and Ensuring Turtle Health
Signs of Respiratory Distress
Red-eared sliders rely on accessing oxygen from the air to breathe, so staying underwater for extended periods can lead to respiratory distress. Signs your turtle is struggling to breathe include:
- Rapid breathing motions with an open mouth
- Wheezing or whistling sounds
- Stretching the neck up to breathe
- Basking more frequently than normal
If you observe any respiratory concerns, move your turtle to shallower water right away or place it on a dry dock so it can access more air. Consulting an exotic veterinarian may also be recommended.
Illness
Underwater submergence for over 10 minutes can potentially lead to water aspiration or pneumonia in red-eared sliders. This occurs when water enters the lungs, causing infection and inflammation. Symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Discharge from the nose and eyes
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
If aspiration illness is suspected, immediate veterinary assessment is crucial. Supportive care with antibiotics, nebulization therapy, and assist-feeding may be required until your turtle recovers.
Stress
Any abnormal or sudden changes to your red-eared slider’s environment can trigger stress. Underwater breath-holding attempts are often stress-related. Monitor for signals like:
- Changes in behavior or activity levels
- Loss of appetite
- Hiding more often
- Aggressive reactions
Minimize stress by maintaining proper habitat conditions and handling gently. Consult an exotic pet behaviorist if concerns continue. They can assess your turtle’s wellbeing and make tailored recommendations for a less stressful quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Red Eared Sliders Drown?
Surprisingly, even though red eared sliders spend most of their time in the water, they can actually drown if they don’t have access to air for too long. As air-breathing reptiles, red eared sliders need to come up to the surface regularly to breathe or they will suffocate underwater.
So while red eared sliders love to lounge in ponds and tanks, they aren’t actually able to breathe underwater like fish can. A healthy red eared slider will come up for air every 30 minutes or so at least.
If your red eared slider seems to be struggling at the water surface or looks limp and unresponsive underwater, it could be drowning and needs immediate assistance getting to shallow water or dry land.
Do They Breathe Underwater?
No, red eared sliders are unable to breathe underwater as they have lungs, not gills. This means they need to get oxygen from the air, not the water. So while red eared sliders spend the majority of their time chilling out below the water surface, they aren’t actually breathing at all down there!
Instead, the reason red eared sliders spend so much time underwater even though they aren’t breathing is because it helps regulate their body temperature. As cold-blooded reptiles, red eared sliders depend on external environments like water to control their internal body temperature.
Hanging out underwater helps red eared sliders keep their body temp in the ideal range.
Why Do They Spend Time Submerged?
There are two key reasons why red eared sliders like to spend time lounging around underwater:
- Temperature regulation – The water helps red eared sliders regulate their body temperature since they are cold blooded animals.
- Safety – Submerging underwater allows red eared sliders to safely hide from predators like birds and raccoons when they feel threatened.
So while they aren’t actually breathing down there, and do need to come up for air regularly, hanging out underwater does provide some key benefits for the turtle’s health and safety!
| Average Time Submerged | Average Time at Surface for Air |
|---|---|
| 10-40 minutes | 2-7 minutes |
As you can see from the table above, while red eared sliders spend more time underwater than at the surface, they do regularly come up for quick air breaks before submerging again. Adults can even stay submerged for up to 50 hours in extreme circumstances!
For more info, check out these references on red eared slider turtle behavior and their habitat needs.
Conclusion
With proper habitat setup and care, red eared sliders can safely stay submerged for around 30-40 minutes thanks to their evolutionary adaptations for aquatic life. By understanding their capabilities and needs, we can better provide for our pets while appreciating their resilient nature.
