PLEASE READ the description completely BEFORE contacting MATTS. Many of your questions will be answered below.

Im a female aquatic northern redbelly cooter turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) species in Fairfax, VA. I eat Mazuri, Reptomin, and Zoo Med turtle pellets and other brands of pellets and LOTS of leafy greens such as leaf lettuce and edible weeds.  I ONLY eat in the water. 

I can ONLY be adopted in Virginia!

I will be a BIG girl; my shell is about 6 now, but I could eventually be 12-14", so Ill need at least a 75 gallon aquarium or plastic stock tank or indoor pond, but larger is better, with a strong external canister filter or really good home-made filter. A Rubbermaid stock tank would make a good home, and those are cheaper than aquariums. A 100 gallon plastic Rubbermaid or Tuff Stuff stock tank from True Value or Tractor Supply Company is usually about $100, and they also come in 150 gallon sizes. It would be great if I could live in a fenced-in, backyard pond, such as a koi pond thats at least 300 gallons.  I might wander off if the yard isnt fenced in.
 Im for adoption because I was abandoned with a pet sitter, and no one knows where I came from originally. 

Cooters can live for 20-60 yrs. They need large indoor aquariums or ponds, a basking spot, and water filtration. Indoor ponds and aquariums require a haul-out spot, a.k.a. basking spot, a heat light over a basking spot, a UVB light over the basking spot, a high-powered filter, and usually a water heater. Outdoor ponds must be in an escape-proof yard or the pond itself must be escape-proof. If you have a backyard pond, the turtle cant go outside for the first time until May, but can live year-round outside after that.  

For ideas on how to prepare an aquarium or pond, visit www.turtleforum.com to chat with other keepers. Review the slider care sheet to learn more about caring for aan aquatic turtle http://nebula.wsimg.com/ae4cb36565545a257b1ff6f17a885dc2?AccessKeyId=A3E784782F81D21389AD&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
You can also get the book Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) (on Amazon or in some stores).

REQUEST AN ADOPTION APPLICATION from matts_adoptions@hotmail.com. Please INCLUDE YOUR CITY AND STATE when contacting MATTS. An application will be e-mailed to you. Once completed, the application can be returned, and if approved, youll then have to submit pictures of your set-up before picking up a turtle.  

PLEASE HELP OTHER TURTLES by spreading the word - baby turtles grow into big turtles! They do not stay small - they do not grow to the size of their enclosure! Please dont buy hatchling turtles at vacation tourist spots. Its illegal in ALL 50 states to sell a turtle this small. Like turtles but cant have one? Want to help? MATTS accepts tax-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 341, Highland, MD 20777. We help over 100 displaced pet turtles a year!