How Much Do Red-Eared Sliders Sleep?

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Red-Eared Sliders are among the most fascinating turtles in the world. These turtles are easily recognized by the peculiar red markings on their heads and are known for one particular habit; they sleep… a lot.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Red-Eared Slider’s Sleep Schedule

Red-Eared Sliders can sleep on average anywhere from 4 to 7 hours a day. These turtles need up to 7 hours of sleep to stay healthy. The number of hours they sleep is contingent upon the season.

How Often Do Red-Eared Turtles Nap?

Red-Eared Sliders usually do not sleep during the day. However, there have been documented cases where they can doze off and daydream a little.

Where Do Red-Eared Turtles Sleep?

These turtles also have a distinct methodology of choosing a pad to sleep (pun intended). At night, they sleep underwater by usually resting on the bottom. They can also sleep by floating on the surface by using their necks as a floating device.

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Does a Red-Eared Slider Slider with Its Eyes Closed?

One interesting fact is that Red-Eared Sliders can keep themselves relaxed by floating and keeping their eyes closed. This manner of resting coincides with how the turtle uses its neck as a floating device.

Red-Eared Sliders: Everything You Need to Know

Red-Eared Slider Sleep FAQs

Why Is My Red-Eared Slider Not Sleeping?

Another important thing to consider is that Red-Eared Sliders are very responsive to light and sound. Various factors can cause problems for the turtle’s sleeping patterns:

The wrong water temperature. The ideal water temperature for good resting habits is around 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The wrong pH level in the water. Having the wrong pH level can cause unpleasant irritation for the turtle. It is generally recommended to have your pH levels between 6.0 and 8.0 to establish good resting conditions.
Your water tank is a proverbial trash dump. No one likes sleeping in a mess. It is important to make sure that your tank is cleaned out daily.

Is My Red-Eared Slider Sleeping Too Much?

There have been cases where Red-Eared Sliders can sleep all day. It is never good for them to sleep all day. As indicated above, the average sleeping time for these turtles is between 4 to 7 hours. There can be various factors that cause excessive sleeping:

Coldwater temperatures can make your turtle sleep more. Red-Eared Sliders engage in a natural process called brumation. It is a state where the turtle engages in less activity. Colder temperatures might trick your turtle into thinking that it is winter and will adjust sleeping patterns accordingly.
Your turtle might be exhausted from illness.
Certain physical disabilities can also cause excessive fatigue.

Tips To Help Your Turtle Sleep

When it comes to providing the best sleeping conditions for Red-Eared Sliders, there are various tips that you can follow:

If you feel that your turtle is sick or has a physical disability, take it to your local veterinarian.
Check your water temperatures and pH levels every few hours to make sure that everything is in order.
Make sure that your turtle is well nourished and is eating as it should.
Show love and compassion to your Red-Eared Slider.

Conclusion

The element of good rest is an important factor in providing a good life for your Red-Eared Slider. They can at times have identical sleeping durations to humans. The important thing is to follow the best practices available to ensure that your turtle is sleeping as it should and does not become the proverbial bump on a log.

When your turtle gets good sleep, it will have a long and healthy life. More importantly, your turtle companion will be much less likely to snap at you (pun also intended).