feed and gender

Question
QUESTION: I got two red ear sliders three years ago. One has grown really really big and the little one is still really tiny. I was thinking that because the smaller wasn't growing as fast was because it was a boy, that is my guess cause I hear that males grow slower. Would you think so? I dunno. Also, I have been looking all over to see if I could feed my red ear sliders brocolli. Can't find the answer anywhere. And for peppers. I wouldn't think they could eat green peppers or red peppers but I don't really know.

ANSWER: Hi,
Are you providing your turtles with UV lighting? This is important for their growth. One may be a male and often the females to grow and mature faster then males. But you wont be able to tell until they are at least 4 inches in diameter.

Broccoli: Shouldn't be fed (its a medium to high risk food)
SEEDLESS Green Bell Peppers: Only as a treat
SEEDLESS Red Peppers: Only as a treat not daily (exesive amounts can cause problems)

I hope that helps, here is a link to vegetation that can/can't be fed:
http://redearslider.com/plants.html


Good luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, they have UV lighting. They have always had it. One is no less than 8 inches long, the other no more than 5. I hear that the "hole" or whatever you want to call it, on their tail, you can tell the gender by the further it is from their shell. Is that true? If it is, than they are defanitely different genders.

Answer
Hello,
I am happy to hear they are supplied with UV lighting, many people dont see it as anything important.

Usually the male's cloaca "vent" or as you say  "hole" is further away from their body and closer to the end of their tail then with the females. Females vent is closer to the shell.

Also males will have extra long front claws much longer then the ones on their back feet. The female's front claws will be relatively the same size as the back ones.

Also the male may have a bottom shell (plastron) which is curved inward slightly to allow for mating.

Be sure that the larger one isn't stealing all of the food, and if you do have a female be sure you have a lay area for her to have her eggs. (They will lay eggs wether they have mated or not)

Good luck
Yexalen