Yellow Bellied Slider needs a new home

[dazzle888]

Hi everyone.  
We are trying to re home our YBS 'Terry' although the name is deceptive we think he is a she.
Terry is about 12months old and an absolutely lovely turtle, he has a lovely character and it is with a very heavy heart that we need to re home her.
My daughter brought her as a coin sized baby not knowing the size she would eventually become.  She is now on her third tank and and is sure to be needing a bigger one in the next few months. We need her to be homed in an environment that she deserves with someone that can look after her correctly and love her as munch as we do. 
Unfortnately my daughter didn't do her homework and thoroughly investigate what care and time that a YBS would take and wasn't explained by the pet shop when she brought him.
Terry deserves to be rehomed with other turtles giving him a quality of life in a community of turtles.
If you can give him a home and have the facilities to have an addition to your family please message me.
apologies for calling her a he and vice versa as we are really unsure of the sex but I think a she as she hasn't got long claws
Thanks all

[turtlegirl]

Sadly yours is a familiar story, thousands of unwanted turtles are dumped each year because owner bought a cute baby turtle on impulse and were misinformed by pet shops. At 1 year yours is too small to sex accurately, needs to be about 4in long for sexing.
Larger species like sliders are very difficult to find good homes for as there are far too many unwanted turtles.
.I really have no room for any more turtles and live too far away. I suggest posting on Facebook UK Turtle Group and see if someone nearby can adopt her. Lots of experienced turtle keepers in that group.
Or contact one of our Rescue Centres in Sunderland or Cambridge if you can take your turtle there.

A better solution would be to keep Terry and get a cheap plastic tank that is big enough to last a lifetime. I can recommend these which I use for my turtles. They are strong, cheap and last for years. Tanks can be delivered n 48 hours to your home or workplace.
www.turtle-supplies.co.uk/Turtle_World_Turtle_Tank_-_much_cheaper_than_Laguna,_choice_of_colours/p1383329_6342002.aspx

[dazzle888]

thanks for your reply that's been really helpful.
I will post on the Facebook page you have recommended and checkout your suggested website for a tank
We have considered keeping Terry but are concerned at the size he/she will grow to and whether we can find the space. I also worry as we only have the one, should he be with a community of turtles? When I see turtles in reptile houses etc they are always huddled together I dont like the thought of him on his own.
Are there any pictures on here of other peoples tank set ups perhaps we could get a better idea on the ideal turtle set up.?

Just out of curiosity....... the plastic tanks, how do you keep the heat in with an open top and the uv light overhead? At the moment he is in a glass tank with a hood with the uv light built in and a clamp on basking lamp.............

Thanks 

[turtlegirl]

Try to keep Terry if at all possible; that tank will provide a home for life even if Terry grows into a 9in female. The plastic tank can be left in the garden May-early Oct and brought in for winter. Adult sliders are very difficult to rehome -rescues are full and 1000s have been dumped in ponds and rivers to starve and freeze to death.Turtles don't need friends. Although they often bask together they are solitary in nature -they don't pair up in couples or form extended families. Even siblings separate and live apart on hatching.


There is no guarantee 2 or more turtles will get on well for life. If bullying or fighting occurs they will have to be separated i.e. you will need 2 or more tanks. It is better to have one turtle.2 females may get on (no guarantee) but 1 of each sex is a no no as the male will constantly hsssle the female who will get bitten if she refuses his advances

Turtle tanks should NOT be completely covered as it produces high levels of damp and condensation which may cause respiratory infections. I cover part of my tanks with glass or perspex to retain some heat, leaving the remaining 66% open for air and light