Do Red-Eared Slider Turtles Sleep Underwater: Facts and Tips in Proper Sleeping

ByLinda Corley Updated

Yes, red-eared slider turtles sleep underwater. Many experts believe that red-eared sliders do sleep underwater with their eyes closed, as this behavior may help conserve energy during long swims or trips underwater. Not only do sliders sleep underwater, but they also brumate – a sleep-like state in which the turtle’s body temperature drops significantly. 

Red-Eared Slider Turtle When Sleeping

Red-eared slider turtles are aquatic turtles that naturally sleep in the water. They use suction to stay afloat and avoid light. When it’s time to come up for air, the turtles use suction to keep themselves afloat until they can reach land or a new body of water. They will cover their eyes with flippers to avoid light and stay submerged for long periods.

Sliders need to conserve energy when sleeping as one of the most active turtles. However, if you can get your slider to sleep in its turtle tank or on a gravel bed (or even under the sun!), that would be ideal! Not only does it provide your slider with optimal sleeping conditions, but it also helps regulate the temperature and reduces stress levels. 

Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtle When Sleeping

Baby turtles are known for being cold-blooded animals – which means their body regulates their temperature by moving around often. This is why they need proper sleeping conditions to avoid straining themselves too much while conserving energy.

Reasons Why Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle Is Sleeping Too Much

If you have a slider turtle that spends a lot of time sleeping underwater, it may be time to take her out of the water for a bit and give her a break. Sliders are aquatic turtles, so they naturally spend much time sleeping in water. If your slider spends too much time underwater, it might be because he’s not getting enough food or sunlight. If that’s the case, provide him with the right amount of food and water, and make sure he gets enough sunlight throughout the day. 

Temperature

Temperature is one of the most critical factors you must consider when caring for your slider turtle. These turtles spend most of their time underwater, where they sleep most of the time. As a result, keeping their enclosure cool is vital to ensure that they are healthy and active. Although sliders do well in warm weather conditions, it’s always best to avoid caution by keeping them more relaxed if possible.

Lack of UVB

Most sliders lack enough UVB, and this can lead to sleeping problems. To prevent this, ensure your slider has a shady spot during the day where it can rest comfortably. If the turtle is still not getting enough sleep, consult a reptile vet or specialist!

Brumation

During brumation, their body temperature drops which are perfect for sleeping! Constantly monitor your slider turtle during brumation as they may not wake up when it’s time to go back into the water! This 8-12 week state is where they consume very little and conserve energy. So ensure you provide them with enough food and water while in this phase!

Illness

If you’re a turtle lover, the recent illness outbreak might have caused you sleepless nights. However, don’t worry, as turtles are intelligent animals and will eventually get better. In the meantime, here are some tips to help your turtle stay healthy: 

  • Keep an eye on your turtle’s health and monitor any changes closely so that you can take appropriate action. 
  • If your turtle is sleeping a lot, give it a good feed and see if that wakes it up. 
  • Check its water and ensure there is enough to drink – if not, add some fresh water.

Stress

Stress is a common problem for sliders and can lead to sleeping problems. To prevent this, ensure their environment is comfortable – providing them an area where they can sleep, fresh food, and water dishes that are constantly full, etc. Additionally, try to regulate the slider’s daily activities so that they have enough time to relax and rest.

Sleep Duration of Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Red-eared slider turtles usually rest for around 8-12 hours per day when submerged in water; this varies depending on the size of the slider turtle. For example, if you have a slider turtle that regularly sleeps underwater, it’s essential to provide enough oxygen at all times. The length of time sliders sleep underwater is based on age, activity level, and temperature. Check in on your sliders regularly to ensure they get the sleep they need!

Duration of Red-Eared Slider Turtle’s Brumation

Red-eared slider turtles sleep underwater for about three months each year, known as brumation. During this time, the sliders are safe and sound underwater, so make sure to keep them in an appropriately sized tank during this time! Brumation is when sliders go into a deep sleep where they don’t eat or drink. This is a time of the year when the sliders are active and can be seen basking in the sun.

Reason Why Red-Eared Slider Turtles Close Their Eyes When Basking

Relaxation

Sliders are a reptile that has adapted to sleeping underwater. Their eyes have evolved to shut down and sleep without having to surface for air. This is an efficient way of conserving energy, as sliders don’t need to use as much energy when sleeping as they’re awake and active. 

Sliders conserve energy by shutting down their body functions and opening their eyes once water levels in the slider’s tank drop below a certain point – this allows them to see where they’re going and hunt food while submerged. Sliders are one of the most popular turtle species on the market today, not just because of their good looks but also because of how well-adapted they are to live underwater!

Poor Sleep

Poor sleep is a major global problem, and it can have severe consequences for the individual and society. Here are some of the ways poor sleep affects individuals: 

  • They will close their eyes to avoid sunlight exposure and UV damage while basking. 
  • Red-eared sliders spend most of their time in the water to rest comfortably. 
  • Turtles need a lot of sleep to function correctly.

UVB Light

UVB light is essential for turtles of all ages, as it helps them produce vitamin D and regulate their body temperature. If you have a turtle not sleeping in the water, ensure they are getting enough UVB light by exposing them to sunlight during the day. When basking your turtle in the sun, they should close their eyes to prevent UVB exposure.

Resting Habits of Pet and Wild Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Pet red-eared sliders are known to do so as they use freshwater habitats for rest. On the other hand, wild red-eared sliders are not known to do so as they use freshwater habitats for rest. However, regarding sleeping habits, both types of slider turtles need regular breaks to stay healthy and vigorous. So, whether you have a pet or wild red-eared slider turtle at home, give them the necessary rest to stay healthy and active.

Reasons Why Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle Is Not Sleeping

If your turtle is spending too much time on land or doesn’t seem tired when it should be sleeping, it might be due to a lack of humidity or insufficient sunlight exposure. Slider turtles can sleep both under the water and on land, but they tend to do better sleeping underwater. If you’re having trouble getting your turtle to sleep, the best thing to do is check the humidity and sunlight levels in its enclosure and make sure it’s getting the amount of sleep it needs

It can be hard to get your red-eared slider turtle to sleep – even for the experts! That’s because these turtles need a lot of space, so it’s best to give them an extra enclosure if you don’t have enough room in your house or pond. Make sure there is plenty of water and mud available for them to swim in, and make sure the temperature is comfortable. If your turtle isn’t sleeping underwater, it could be because of the temperature.

Helping Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle to Sleep

Red-eared slider turtles are aquatic creatures who need to sleep in water to stay healthy. This means that you must ensure the water tank is always clean and full of fresh drinking water. Ensure the water is deep enough for the turtle to submerge its head and nostrils underwater; if not, provide a small bowl instead of a pool/pond. Last but not least, monitor your turtle’s sleeping behavior and ensure it gets the sleep it needs.