Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Red-eared slider

Photo by: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

The red-eared slider is a medium-sized freshwater turtle that has a distinguishing broad red or orange (rarely yellow) stripe behind each eye. They are commonly found in the pet and aquarium trades, leading to the potential for illegal release into the wild. If released, red-eared slider turtles can outcompete native turtles for food and habitat and can transmit parasites and diseases to native species. This is why responsible pet ownership and finding alternatives to release is important. 

Description

Appearance

The red-eared slider is a medium-sized freshwater turtle that has a unique, broad red or orange (rarely yellow) stripe behind each eye.  The shell and skin are olive to brown with yellow stripes or spots. Younger individuals have numerous dark, eyelike spots on the yellow plastron (underside of a turtle’s shell). Rarely, larger, older individuals may appear entirely black on skin and shell.

Biology

Red-eared sliders are aquatic, omnivorous generalists. Adult turtles tend to be more herbivorous than juveniles, but both will opportunistically eat aquatic invertebrates (especially insects and mollusks), fish, frog eggs and tadpoles, aquatic snakes and a wide variety of aquatic plants and algae. Although they prefer quiet waters, red-eared sliders are highly adaptable and can tolerate anything from brackish waters to canals and city park ponds. They may wander far from water and rapidly colonize any newly available habitat. Females lay 2-23 eggs per clutch in a cavity dug out of the soil and can lay as many as five clutches per year in their native range.

Origin and Spread

Red-eared sliders are not native to Minnesota. The red-eared slider's native range broadly covers the southern portion of the midwestern states and extends as far east as West Virginia, as far west as eastern New Mexico, and as far south as south of the Rio Grande River into northeastern Mexico. The species is commonly imported and sold by the aquarium and pet trades, leading to the potential for illegal release into the wild. Refer to EDDMapS for current distribution.

Don’t be fooled by these look-alikes

Red-eared sliders can look similar to many native turtle species found in Minnesota but can usually be distinguished by their unique red or orange stripe behind each eye.

Look-alikes:

Regulatory Classification
Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are a regulated invasive species in Minnesota, which means they are legal to possess, sell, buy, and transport, but they may not be introduced into a free-living state, such as being released into the environment.
Threat to Minnesota Waters
Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters.

Red-eared slider impacts:

  • Compete with native turtles for food and habitat.
  • Increased risk of parasite and disease transmission to native species.
  • Turtles are well-recognized reservoirs for Salmonella bacteria.
    • The FDA has prohibited the sale of turtles smaller than 4 inches because of the public health impact of turtle-associated salmonellosis.
What You Should Do
Help prevent the spread

People spread red-eared sliders primarily through the illegal release from aquariums and water gardens. Protect yourself and the environment by becoming better informed before you buy. You can do this by:

  • Knowing the laws in Minnesota. Keep up to date on invasive species regulations.
  • Learning to recognize red-eared sliders, both in pet and aquarium stores and in Minnesota’s aquatic ecosystems.
  • Learning how your hobby may impact AIS spread. Aquarium owners, reptile pet keepers and sellers and water gardeners play an important role in protecting Minnesota waters from aquatic invasive species.
    • Despite FDA regulations, red-eared sliders are often sold or even given away as pets when they are hatchlings. Adult red-eared slider turtles can grow to roughly 11 inches long, require regular feeding and cleaning, an adequately sized, heated aquarium, and can live 30-40 years. It is very difficult to rehome unwanted pet red-eared sliders because there are so many in the pet trade and their care and upkeep are extensive.
If you have a red-eared slider you can no longer care for:

  • Never release red-eared sliders into the environment.
  • Contact a retailer for possible returns.
  • Find a surrender event near you to rehome your pet. Note – it can be very difficult to rehome a red-eared slider.
  • Give or trade with other hobbyists or a local hobbyist society.
  • Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of red-eared sliders.
  • Refer to Habitattitude for alternatives to release.
Control Methods
Physical removal is the only known population control for red-eared sliders in natural water bodies at this time. Preventative measures are key to limit red-eared sliders’ impact on aquatic ecosystems. If you think you have spotted a red-eared slider turtle that you would like to remove from the environment, please contact your area nongame wildlife specialist to confirm identification and learn about legal methods for removal. 
Resources

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