Can my turtle be in the sun?

[Elisabeth89]

Just wondering. I have a Red eared Slider. He is a baby. If it's nice outside can I bring him outside in his box of course? So like instead of his lamp he has the sun warming him and his water. I live in Southern California where the weather stays nice most of the year.

 

[NudistApple]

Absolutely! Just be sure that he has access to some shade in case he wants to thermo-regulate.
Natural sunshine is the best thing for our little shellbacks.

 

[kathyth]

Ditto!
Very healthy idea.
Supervise when in the sun.

 

[kanalomele]

Yes! Yes! Yes! They are very happy to have some sunshine on their backs. In fact they are happiest when outside in their own ponds.

 

[theTurtleRoom]

DO NOT use a glass aquarium when taking a turtle outside. DO give them access to shade. I've seen numerous accounts of turtles dying because they were left in the sun too long without the ability to get themselves out of the sun. Supervision is best.

 

[bellyboo]

We take our RES outside in the summer! I have a little above ground pond in my garden my garden with a basking log in the middle and she loves it! Like the others have said, make sure you have part of it shaded so he doesn't get too hot.

 

[dmmj]

No glass aquariums, they turn into ovens very quickly.

 

[Laura]

I agree with NO GLASS.. I lost my little turtle when I was about 10... did that thinking I was doing him a favor.. and he cooked.. poor Timothy....:-(