Every time you see these guys around here, they are hauled out onto a sunny log, or root. They need lots of UV...good ol' sunlight is best...direct, not filtered thru glass. We had one named Oscar, that had been my mom's when she was young. He spent summers in a kiddie pool in the yard, placed in a partly shady area (so the water wouldn't overheat) . He was over 40yrs. old when a summer storm washed him over the rim, and set him free ((there was a two acre pond on the property...I'm sure he's fine) Females are the larger...ten inch shells are not uncommon....Males about 5 or 6 inches. They are carnivores...shiners, tadpoles etc etc but a good pellet food is convient and ok...avoid the Cheap Hartz Mtn types....Do it right, your great grandchildren will know this turtle