Fun Facts!

These community-oriented turtles often bask together, at times piling on top of one another!

Red-eared Slider Turtle

Trachemys scripta elegans

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

This turtle gets its name from the distinctive red line behind its ears. Their shell color is varied from several shades of green to gray with yellow spots. The females can reach up to 12 inches in length. Males are a bit smaller, around 10 inches. Males also have larger front claws and tails than females.

HABITAT

They live in wetlands and freshwater rivers as well as lake and stream shores and beds in the southern and eastern United States.

DIET IN THE WILD

These omnivores eat insect larvae, small mammals, small fish, mollusks, along with aquatic plant species. They do not generate saliva, so they eat their food in the water to provide liquid for digestion and hydration.

BEHAVIOR

Red-eared sliders are shy animals and can be deceptively fast when danger approaches. They are excellent swimmers but rely on sunshine for body heat so they bask often, and retreat to the water if they are surprised or startled.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Alligators and crocodiles are the greatest threat to these turtles. Young turtles are also threatened by raccoons, skunks, foxes, wading birds and storks. Raccoons, skunks and foxes are also known to prey on their eggs. However, they are not a protected species as they are abundant in the wild.

LIFE SPAN

Some red-eared slider turtles have lived up to 35 years in captivity.