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Red-eared sliders come by their common name for two reasons: the red ear patch on both sides of the head, and the fact that wild red-ears, when basking, are known to slide into the water at the slightest hint of danger.

Laurie L. Snidow/Shutterstock

Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

The red-eared slider has a long history in the pet trade, and it has been kept for many years by a wide variety of hobbyists, both beginners and veterans. For years they were sold in dime stores, and unfortunately many died due to a lack of knowledge of the children who begged their parents to buy them for them. Luckily, now that reptile enthusiasts are better educated, the red-eared slider has a better chance of survival in captivity, but it is a large turtle and should be kept only by people who are prepared to provide the proper care for it.

Red-eared sliders are strong swimmers and will spend a majority of their time in the water. They bask a lot, too, and during warm, sunny days, wild red-ears love to stack on top of each other while doing so. The slightest movement or sound will send them sliding off their rocks or logs and back into the water-this, coupled with the red ear mark on both sides of their heads, gives them their common name. Pet red-eared sliders can be very personable and will often swim up to you, begging for food.

The native habitat of the red-eared slider is from New Mexico north to Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and West Virginia, then south through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, all the way to northern Mexico. They are often found in slow-moving streams, creeks, lakes, ponds and marshes with a fresh and warm water supply.

Red-Eared Slider Availability

The red-eared slider is one of the most common turtles found for sale in pet stores across the U.S. and overseas. In addition to finding them at local pet stores, you can purchase them at reptile shows or online. It is illegal for hatchlings with a carapace length of less than 4 inches to be sold for anything other than educational purposes.

Pan Xunbin/Shutterstock

The red-eared slider is a large turtle that should be kept only by hobbyists who will be able to provide a large enclosure or pond.

Red-Eared Slider Size

Full grown adults can reach 12 inches in length, with females usually being the largest in size. There are rare instances of adult red-eared sliders growing larger than 12 inches.

Red-Eared Slider Life Span

Red-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity. When cared for correctly, they can easily live longer than 20 years.

Red-Eared Slider Diet

Red-eared sliders are omnivores. In the wild, they feed on aquatic vegetation, small fish and decaying material such as dead fish and frogs, etc. Pet red-eared sliders will feed on just about anything you give them, but I recommend feeding them a commercial turtle food or pellet to benefit proper growth and health. On occasion, you can offer them leafy greens, freeze-dried shrimp or krill, crickets, superworms, rosy red minnows and even pinky mice.

Vin Ma

Various types of red-eared slider morphs are being bred in captivity. These are all albinos of various ages and sizes.

Red-Eared Slider Housing

Hatchling red-eared sliders are very cute, but don't let their small size fool you. Remember, adults can grow to 12 inches. The general rule of thumb for housing red-eared sliders is for every inch of shell length, you should provide 10 gallons of water. For example, a red-eared slider with a 5-inch shell length should be provided an enclosure containing 50 gallons of water to allow for adequate swimming space.
They can be kept in aquariums, turtle tubs, etc.

Primary accessories to properly house a red-eared slider are a water filtration system, a water heater, a basking dock and a basking lamp. Because red-eared sliders are messy feeders and produce a lot of waste, I recommend purchasing a water filter that is rated at least double the amount of water in your turtle's enclosure. This reduces the frequency of water changes that will be necessary (though don't neglect water changes; you should still perform them regularly) and maintains the cleanliness and health of your turtles.

Vin Ma

These are hatchling "snow" red-eared sliders.

Use a submersible water heater to maintain the ideal water temperature between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Turtles can be rough, so use a water heater guard to protect the heater from breaking; they are available in pet stores or online. Be sure to maintain the recommended temperatures, both in the water and the ambient temperatures mentioned below. If the temperatures are too cold, your turtle's metabolism will reduce, which can be a threat to its health. Keep tanks and tubs away from areas with cool breezes or drafts, too, as constant fluctuation of temperatures due to these can cause respiratory infections.

Vin Ma

Pastel red-eared slider hatchlings.

To ensure proper health and growth of red-eared sliders, a basking light that provides UVB and UVA rays, to mimic the sun, is required. Purchase either a commercial turtle basking dock or create your own basking platform onto which your turtle can emerge from the water to soak up the artificial sunlight and dry off. Temperatures in the basking area should remain between 85 and 90 degrees.

Red-Eared Slider Handling and Temperament

Captive-born-and-raised red-eared sliders are more personable compared to wild red-eared sliders, which tend to be more cautious and frightened when approached by humans. At the slightest sound or movement, they will quickly slide into the water for cover. Captive-bred red-eared sliders are the opposite; they will frequently swim up to you and beg for food.

Although every turtle is different, when handled, red-eared sliders could withdraw into their shells or possibly even nip at your fingers if they feel threatened. This is why it's not recommended that you frequently handle your red-eared sliders or remove them from their habitats.

Vin Ma has been working with various species of turtles since 2002, and since 2006 has been working on selective color breeding, focusing on color morphs such as albino and caramel red-eared sliders. Visit his website at www.turtlemorphs.com.

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Red-eared sliders come by their common name for two reasons: the red ear patch on both sides of the head, and the fact that wild red-ears, when basking, are known to slide into the water at the slightest hint of danger. Laurie L.

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The Invasive Species Initiative aims to highlight creative approaches to local invasive species management.

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Because Cumberland Slider Turtles are related to the Red Eared Slider Turtle, they make great pets, and when it comes to their care requirements, they need the same things that Red Eared Slider Turtles would.

The differences between the Cumberland Slider and the Red Eared Slider include where they are found and their color (Cumberland Sliders are more yellow, as well as lighter in color, than Red Eared Sliders, and they don't have the distinctive "red ear" either).

Cumberland Sliders make great pets.

The Cumberland Slider Turtle can be found in the southeastern part of the United States, and the Mississippi River and Tennessee River drainages. They will be seen in quiet waters that feature mud at the bottom, so habitats like streams, lakes, and ponds are preferable. They also like environments where there is a lot of aquatic vegetation, basking spots, and organic substrate.

A lot of experts claim that the native land of these turtles is the Cumberland River Valley, which is found in Tennessee and Kentucky, but because of the pet trade, these turtles can now be found in Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama.

Cumberland Sliders have a couple of rounded projections that are located on the posterior edge of their shell, which is also a bit keeled. Adults will have a carapace that is oval and wrinkled, while the plastron will be a bit smaller compared to the carapace, and it will also be hingeless. Each of the marginals showcases a spot on the bottom side.

Male Cumberland Sliders will showcase long claws on their front legs, and they will be smaller than females. Females will also feature a shell that is domed more. Hatchings will look like their adult counterparts, but their carapace will be green and their plastron will be yellow.

Cumberland Sliders are known for being active and fun to watch.

The Cumberland Slider Turtle features an olive brown colored carapace, and you will also note this turtle's yellow markings. There is a yellow bar behind each eye, and it can be wide or thin.

The turtle's skin will be brown, but it will have a greenish or olive tint, along with yellow striping as well.

This turtle's plastron will have stripes or bars of yellow color, along with dark spots like those on the carapace's ridge. The front legs will feature large yellow stripes, and the backs of the turtle's thighs will have alternating black and yellow stripes.

If you have a juvenile Cumberland Slider, you can house him in a 10-20 gallon tank, but an adult would need a 55 gallon tank. You can house a pair of adults in a 75 gallon tank. They can also be housed outdoors.

Only use fresh, filtered water in your turtle's tank, and have a high quality filtration system working in the tank at all times. UVB lighting also needs to be provided to help your turtle stay healthy, and you can turn the lights off at night to mimic natural cycles.

In terms of substrate, these turtles do well with fine pea gravel or reptile sand. If you choose to use gravel, it should be big enough that your turtle will not be able to eat it.

Your turtle should be able to enjoy plenty of room for swimming, and he should be able to completely submerge himself and swim around. However, there should also be an area for basking that allows your pet to climb out of the water completely. This area should also be big enough that your turtle can completely dry off his plastron and shell, and he should be able to really stretch out and relax.

The water temperature should be set at 70-75°F, and the basking area should be set to 90°F. A cooler area should be on the opposite end of the basking area of the tank. Temperatures can drop to around 65°F at night, but a good daytime ambient temperature would be anywhere from the upper 70s to lower 80s.

If you have more than one Cumberland Slider Turtle, you may see them all basking together.

Cumberland Sliders prefer an omnivorous diet, so you can feed your pet a combination of commercial pelleted turtle food and then supplement that with mealworms, crickets, and leafy green vegetables, such as collard greens, turnip greens, and romaine.

These popular pet turtles are known for being active and fun to watch. They can get used to being handled, but they are the types of animals that will slide into the water whenever they are frightened while they are basking (hence the name "slider").

If you have more than one Cumberland Slider Turtle, you may see them all basking together. They might even stack themselves on top of one another as they bask.
Photo credit: Danny Steven S./Wikimedia; Satori1312/Bigstock

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Cumberland Slider Information and Slider - PetGuide

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Because Cumberland Slider Turtles are related to the Red Eared Slider Turtle, they make great pets, and when it comes to their care requirements, they need the same things that Red Eared Slider Turtles would.

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The Yellow-Bellied Slider is an attractive turtle that make great pets. Even though they are not as well known or as popular as the similar Red-Eared Slider, these animals are a good choice for those who wish to add a turtle to their family.

The Yellow-Bellied Slider is an attractive turtle that makes a great pet.

You can find the Yellow-Bellied Slider throughout the southeastern portion of the United States, from Virginia to Alabama.

These turtles can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats that include marshes, lakes, permanent ponds, floodplain swamps, slow-moving rivers, and seasonal wetlands. They prefer bodies of water that are shallow and that provide plenty of aquatic vegetation, basking areas, and soft bottoms.

Yellow-Bellied Sliders feature an oval carapace and a rounded jaw. Females are usually larger than males. Also, males will have a thick, long tail and will showcase darker colors than females as they grow and mature.

The Yellow-Bellied Slider has distinct markings that make it stand out. You will quickly notice this turtle's pretty yellow stripes, which are found on the legs, neck, and head. There is also a bright orange, red, or yellow spot on the sides of the turtle's head.

The carapace ranges in color from brown to olive, and it also features yellow bars or stripes. Also, the plastron, which is yellow, can feature dark blotches on the bony plates.

Yellow-Bellied Sliders do well in community tanks, as long as they are housed with similar turtle breeds.

You will need to provide your Yellow-Bellied Slider with a large aquarium of at least 60 gallons for a single turtle. Hatchlings should not be housed in an aquarium that is smaller than 15 gallons. If you plan on housing more than one turtle in the same enclosure, you should add an extra 20 gallons for each turtle, as a minimum.

Always use a high quality water filtration system to ensure the freshwater is kept pure at all times. Maintain the water temperature anywhere from 75-80°F with the help of a submersible water heater. And make sure the water is deep enough that your turtle can totally submerge himself and swim around comfortably. A good recommendation for water depth is around 18".

Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtles enjoy basking, so you will need to provide your pet with a basking area that is large and comfortable. The material should be non-abrasive and your turtle should be able to dry off completely. Use a heat lamp to keep the basking area's temperature anywhere from the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit. The rest of the air temperature in the tank should be kept anywhere from the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit. Also set up a UVB light bulb over your turtle's enclosure.

In terms of substrate, you can decide whether or not you would like to include it in your turtle's tank. Using a substrate could make your turtle's tank harder to clean, and you will need a highly efficient water filtration system as well to help you keep the substrate clean. If you are going to use a substrate, choose gravel that is larger than what your turtle would be able to swallow.

In addition to filtration, you will need to perform complete water changes on a regular basis in order to maintain the water quality.

Yellow-Bellied Sliders are highly sociable animals.

Because the Yellow-Bellied Slider is a turtle that follows an omnivorous diet, you will be able to feed your pet a variety of foods. These include insects, fish, and non-toxic aquatic plants. Good options are small feeder fish, crickets, wax worms, mealworms, chopped vegetables, and a commercial turtle food.

Yellow-Bellied Sliders do well in community tanks, as long as they are housed with similar turtle breeds, such as Red-Eared Sliders, Painted Turtles, Cooters, and Map Turtles. Just be sure that you can give your turtles a large enclosure in order to give each animal enough space and hiding places, and always keep an eye out for aggressive behaviors between your turtles.

Overall, Yellow-Bellied Sliders are highly sociable animals, and even those turtles that are shy at the beginning will become more comfortable in a short period of time. It is always best to purchase turtles that have been bred in captivity, as they will be more comfortable around humans and you can rest assured that they were not taken out of their wild habitats.

Giving your turtle a high quality enclosure and keeping the handling of your Yellow-Bellied Slider to a minimum will help keep your pet happy and healthy.
Photo credit: Andrjuss/Bigstock; cmspic /Bigstock; Jay Ondreicka/Bigstock

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Yellow-Bellied Slider Information and Pictures - PetGuide

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The Yellow-Bellied Slider is an attractive turtle that make great pets. Even though they are not as well known or as popular as the similar Red-Eared Slider, these animals are a good choice for those who wish to add a turtle to their family. The Yellow-Bellied Slider is an attractive turtle that makes a great pet.

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Trachemys scripta (Common Slider, Cumberland Slider Turtle, Red-eared Slider Turtle, Slider, Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle)

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Home " Trachemys scripta (Common Slider, Cumberland Slider Turtle, Red-eared Slider Turtle, Slider, Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle)

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Red-Eared Slider | Herpetology : Vertebrate Zoology : Collections : Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

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The reproductive biology of red-eared sliders is highly variable. Males mature anywhere from 2-5 years and females mature at about 8 years of age. Both in the native and introduced ranges of the United States, females tend to nest between April and July. Occasionally sliders can be seen nesting into early fall.

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Those cute little red-eared sliders you see in the pet store? They can live quite a long time and grow much, much bigger than you might expect.

Exhibit A: Tina Turtle.

One year, my parents decided to buy my brother one of those aforementioned 3-inch turtles from the pet store. My uncles had turtles as kids, so my mom remembers them as being small and not living long, maybe a couple years. That certainly sounds like a manageable pet. So, they set up tiny little Tina in a 5-gallon aquarium with an old casserole dish as a swimming pool. Tina seemed content in her new home with plenty of space to roam and somewhere to swim laps if she so desired.

But Tina started to grow.

And grow.

First, my parents simply reversed the landscaping, filling the tank with water and giving Tina an island. Then, they moved her to the 10-gallon tank they had in storage. Then, they had to invest in a new 30-gallon tank. Then, they installed a garden pond and enclosure for the turtle to spend her summer days. That growing tutrle certainly cost her share of money and time. The tank and pond would get quite dirty and swampy easily, what with all that turtle poop (and uneaten food if not scooped back out), so she required plenty of maintenance. If you carried her back in the house at night, and stopped to dilly-daddle for 30 seconds, her highness would get restless and start scratching your arms.

From what I have read, red-eared slider turtles can grow to about "the size of a dinner plate", and they were not far off in Tina's case, although she was considerably thicker and had a weight to match. She came a long way from that cute little pet store turtle.

And her age? Tina made it to about 24. My parents bought her when I was in grade 9 I believe and she outlasted all my hamsters, my two budgies, and many cats. I was impressed my husband's cat made it to 19 but Tina still managed to hold the prize for longevity in our family.

When the turtle finally quit moving for good, it was a sad day. She had been a part of our family for so long. That said, she was not an incredibly active part of our family. It is hard to interact much with a turtle, no petting, no chasing laser pointers, no audible conversations, although she would swim over to see me and hang out when I came to her tank. Turtles are also high maintenance with tanks that become swampy-smelling in no time, so it was probably a relief to my parents to not have such a high-maintenance pet around, as sad as it was to see her go.

If the OP is asking about pet turtle longevity because they are considering one as a pet, I would advise considering carefully. If you think a cat or dog is a long-term commitment, a turtle is even more so. They are more on the level, longevity-wise, of raising kids, supporting them through college, and having them move back into the basement. Turtles need space and constant cleaning, and bigger tanks mean more money to spend (and more cleaning). I liked Tina, but I am not sure I would ever have a turtle as a pet again.

tl;dr: Our turtle lived 24 years and grew quite large.

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How long does a pet turtle live? How long do they live in the wild?

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Answer (1 of 2): Those cute little red-eared sliders you see in the pet store? They can live quite a long time and grow much, much bigger than you might expect. Exhibit A: Tina Turtle. One year, my parents decided to buy my brother one of those aforementioned 3-inch turtles from the pet store.