Breeding / Frogs, newts and turtles
Picture coming
Frogs, newts and turtles · Easy

Breeding the cumberland slider

Egg layer: courts and mates in water in spring (and autumn); females nest on land from about April to July, digging flask-shaped nests, and may lay several clutches a year. Young may overwinter in the nest.

Step by step

Pairing

Pair.

Breeding tank

Large pond.

What starts it

Warm season.

Eggs and young

2-30 eggs per clutch (larger females lay more), up to 5 clutches a year in North America; incubation 59-112 days depending on temperature.

Raising the fry

Hatchlings are fully independent: house them in shallow warm water with a basking spot and feed small pellets, worms and daphnia daily.

Common mistakes
  • Undersized tank and weak filtration
  • No UV or basking heat (soft shells, poor growth)
  • Releasing unwanted turtles into the wild

Male or female

Males are usually smaller than females and have long thick tails with the vent beyond the shell rim; in this species males also grow long, curved front claws.

Can I breed it in my tank?

  • Good for a first breeding project.

Day-by-day plan

Typical for frogs, newts and turtles

  1. Day 0Eggs

    Needs a special setup. Read the species guide first.

A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.

Simulator: guided

Stage 1 of 1Eggs

Needs a special setup. Read the species guide first.

Simulator: try it yourself

Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.

No spawning
  • Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.

An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.