Red-eared Slider

Scientific Name

Trachemys scripta elegans

Description

The Red-eared Slider has a slight ridge, or keel, running down the center of the upper shell. There is usually a wide red stripe on either side of the head, behind the eyes, but this can fade with age.

Photo Gallery

Range

Red-eared Slider pets have been released into the wild in southern BC, southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Sliders are now widespread around Vancouver and Victoria in BC and in the Toronto area of Ontario.

Habitat

Red-eared Sliders can exist in a wide range of waterbodies. They have been released into urban and suburban ponds, lakes, rivers and wetlands. They have even been found in some protected areas in Canada. Females nest in open areas in sand, soil, or gravel. Red-eared Sliders hibernate under water on the bottom of waterbodies.

Behaviour

Red-eared Sliders commonly bask and can be seen basking in many urban and suburban wetlands with native species such as Painted Turtles. Nesting females and hatching eggs have been observed in southwestern Ontario. Females can lay more than 20 eggs.

Adult Size: 23-33 cm

Status

None, non-native species (Federal)

Notes

Did you know? Native to the United States, Red-eared Sliders were introduced to Canada through the pet industry. Commonly sold in pet stores, these turtles are often released into the wild once they become larger and more difficult to care for. Non-native species or pets should never be released into the wild because they could transfer diseases that threaten native species.

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