Red-Eared Slider Turtle

Red-eared Slider Turtle

Other Names: Pond Slider
Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta
Family: Emydidae

Description and Size

  • Somewhat flattened upper shell (carapace)
  • Shell length: 8.9-36.8 cm (3.5-14.5 in)
  • Carapace color: green to olive, may have yellow bars
  • Plastron color: yellow
  • Skin color: green to brown with yellow stripes
  • May have a red bar directly behind each eye
  • Males: very long claws on their forelimbs

Habitat

  • Permanent ponds
  • Marshes

Diet

  • Omnivorous
  • Aquatic vegetation and algae
  • Arthropods
  • Mollusks
  • Small vertebrates

Life History

  • Diurnal
  • Active season: March – November
  • Breeding season: Late May – early June
  • Lays eggs
  • 1-3 clutches of 2-25 eggs per female

Range

Red Eared Slider

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.