Can Two Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtles Live Together?

Are you considering getting a Yellow-bellied slider as a pet? Not sure if this turtle species thrives alone, in pairs, or with friends? 

Generally, as long as two yellow-bellied slider turtles are approximately the same size and gender, they can peacefully cohabitate. Note that this will, however, also be dependent on the amount of space you provide your turtle pair. Yellow-bellied slider turtles are also happy to cohabitate with fish and other frog species but be aware that predation may occur.

Continue reading to learn all there is to know about yellow-bellied slider cohabitation, including whether two yellow-bellied slider turtles can live together, if they will get along, other creatures you can include in the tank and more.

Can Two Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtles Live Together?

Yellow-bellied slider turtles can live peacefully together as long as they have matured and are provided with ample tank room. Due to their overall size of 5 to 8 inches, two yellow-bellied slider turtles should be housed in a 55-gallon tank.

Do Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtles Need a Friend?

The yellow-bellied slider turtle is a solitary species. Being alone allows them to enjoy a long and steady life. As a result, you don’t have to be concerned about your turtle becoming lonely. Owners merely need to make sure that their turtles have a healthy environment in which to live.

After all, turtles do not have friends or associates in the wild, therefore they are more likely to compete for mates, territory, and food. As a result, when two yellow-bellied sliders are housed together, they are more likely to feel threatened.

Do I Need a Bigger Tank?

Like with all aquatic animals, the more creatures you choose to hold inside a tank, the bigger it will need to be. The same rule applies to all turtle species including the yellow-bellied slider.

If you’re starting with younger, smaller turtles, a smaller tank is fine as long as the enclosure grows with your turtles. For example, a 55-gallon tank is excellent for tiny yellow-bellied slider turtles that measure between 5 and 8 inches. 

Will Two Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtles Get Along?

As long as they have all mature, yellow-bellied slider turtles of the same species can live peacefully together. Map turtles, mud turtles, cooter turtles, and painted turtles are among the other turtle species that can coexist peacefully.

Take note, that if you wish to have several turtles in the same tank, make sure the tank is large enough to accommodate both turtles and has numerous hiding locations as well as a large enough basking platform.

What To Do If Your Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtles Are Fighting or Biting Each Other?

Be aware that sometimes yellow-bellied slider turtles will bite each other. Typically, yellow-bellied sliders bite to display dominance, but there are numerous other reasons as to why your turtles may become aggressive. For example, yellow-bellied sliders will also bite each other during mating, in addition to fighting over territory concerns. 

In order to stop your turtles from biting, ensure they have enough tank space to get away from one another. Owners should also ensure their yellow-bellied sliders are approximately the same size or, unfortunately, the larger turtle may eat the smaller one.

Why Should You Feed Your Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtles Separately?

While yellow-bellied slider turtles are docile creatures when housed on their own, when kept in pairs, they can become aggressive, especially when it comes to food. As a result, it is best to feed your pair of turtles separately in order to avoid any mishaps. 

Can You Put Other Creatures in A Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtle Tank?

Can You Put Frogs in A Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtle Tank?

Unfortunately, keeping frogs and yellow-bellied slider turtles together is not a good idea since the turtles will often hunt and consume the frog. After all, aquatic turtles are exceedingly swift, and the frog would have little chance of escaping.

Frogs and turtles are mostly omnivores, which means they eat both animal and plant matter. They’re both also opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat anything if given the opportunity. Therefore, considering turtles are normally larger creatures, they’ll go after the frog.

Can You Put Fish in A Yellow-Bellied Sliders Turtle Tank?

Yellow-bellied sliders may be kept alongside fish, but be warned that, like frogs, predation can occur. Since some caretakers are aware of this, they expect the turtles to devour the fish. As a result, they treat the fish as food, replenishing them as they are consumed.

Final Thoughts

In general, as long as two yellow-bellied slider turtles are around the same size, they can coexist harmoniously. It should be noted, however, that this is also dependent on the quantity of room you allow your turtle couple. Yellow-bellied slider turtles are also content to live among fish and other frog species but be aware that predation can occur.

Overall, if you want to keep several yellow-bellied sliders in the same tank, make sure it’s big enough to fit both turtles and has plenty of hiding spots and a big enough basking platform.