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BREEDING
Sliders have been bred many times in captivity, thus there is much information available for a beginner breeder, here is something might help you.
There are some considerations before start breeding; turtles mate generally after 2 weeks of hibernation, during the spring season; so their offspring can hatch when the weather is warm
Turtles reach their sexual maturity in 5 years.
All turtles and tortoises reproduce by eggs, which must be laid on land. Females can also store sperm, allowing them to lay several clutches of eggs after a single mating. The first clutch of eggs is usually laid after 3 to 6 weeks of mating; young turtles hatch in 60 - 75 days.
Hibernation
Even though some people would say that hibernation is not necessary, experts say that you can get better results by doing it.
Do not hibernate your turtle if is very young or newborn; or if your turtle have symptoms of undernourishment.
First thing is to prepare your turtle for hibernation. Reduce the photoperiods (duration of light) so they know that is time to hibernate.
The slider's digestive track must be emptied out completely. If not excess of food will ferment and rupture the stomach causing their death. To do this just stop feeding for a period of 10 days, in their last 3 days soak the turtle in warm water to help the animal flush everything out.
After this you may place the turtle in the designated "hibernaculum" made out of 1" thick layer of potting soil as a bedding, and loose mixture of hay sphagnum, moss and soil to cover the animal completely. Drop the temperature slowly until you reach a temperature between 50° and 55° F or 10° - 13° C (not lower than that).
At the end of the hibernation period raise the container's temperature slowly over 1 day o 2 and return them to their regular habitat. After they recuperate start feeding them abundantly, so they can recover their energy, and get ready for the big moment.
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Differencing
the sexes
Differencing the sexes
Is difficult to tell the sexes apart when the turtles are juveniles. Wait until they grow up and check the following characteristics:
Male: Long toenails on their front feet that they use when courting females.
Male: longer and thicker tail than the female.
Male: The plastron (belly) is concave.
Male: The cloaca opening is closer to the tip of the tail.
Female: Larger then male.
Female: Flat plastron
Female: The cloaca opening is closer to the body.
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Mating
Time
After 2 weeks of the hibernation you can start trying to breed your turtles.
Provide the adequate environment; a tub, warm and shallow water will do it.
Keep the males and the female in separate tanks until the mating time.
When the time comes place the male and female in the pool at the same time. The male will swim backwards in front of females and flutter and fan water over the female's face. If the female is receptive, she will then let the male mount her, and the turtles will entwine their tails and proceed with the copulation process. If she is not receptive a small fight might start, you should separate them and try again in some other time.
Once the mating had taken place, you should place the turtles in their separate tanks.
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Care
of the Pregnant Female
The pregnant female should be treated with the utmost care, avoid any violent movement. Put the female in a tank with enough space, and emphasize the tank-cleaning task. They will loose some of their appetite, but you should feed her in regularly.
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Egg
Laying
Female sliders will only lay eggs when they find a suitable nesting site. If they cannot find the place they will retain the eggs. You will notice the female spending more time basking, scratching, and digging in the gravel of your tank. In some cases, the female might lay the eggs in the water. This can pose problems because the male would eat them.
You should place her into a container filled with vermiculite for about 6 hours. If she decides to lay the eggs, she will dig a hole and drop her clutch in.
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Incubation
/ Care of hatchlings
Carefully dig and remove the eggs and place them into a plastic container half filled with dampened vermiculite. Drill small holes in the lid of the container, then put the container in the incubator. It is very important to monitor the incubation process. Do not rotate the eggs. Make a small mark with a water-based marker on the egg before it is moved.
Keep the temperature between 80° and 86° F (26°-30°C). To keep the vermiculite moistened, add some drops of water.
The babies will hatch 60 - 75 days later. When they hatch they have an egg tooth that enable them to open the eggshell, this tooth will fall out on its own.
Neonates are prone to drowning so they do need easy access to the basking spot.
In captivity they can take any food you give them, make sure the food is small
enough for them to put it in their mouth.
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Personal
Experience |
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Hibernation:
When
the winter started I kind of forgot to check the water
temperature, and the turtles stopped eating (the fish
were happy with an "all they can eat buffet")
and were in state of lethargy for a couple of weeks
(even though I adjusted the water temperature).
Afterwards I introduced Zoe to the tank, but she would
not do the same as the others, she would eat as a mammoth
(probably she was eating for the three of them). She was
scrawny and starving so she didn't hibernate at all.
Breeding:
I
have no personal experience about breeding
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