Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans

The Red-eared Slider is a type of a pond turtle. Originally found from Mississippi westward, but now commonly found all over the world. They can be recognized by the dark red patches on each side of its head.

Traditionally, Red-eared sliders have been the most popular turtle to keep as a pet. When owners get tired of them they release them into the nearest lake or pond. As you can imagine this creates issues. These Sliders are not native to the area they are put into, and they have an exceptionally good chance of prospering, and multiplying in their new home. The consequences are tricky to predict, and it is difficult to see the exact effects. Sliders do have to compete with indigenous species for basking sites and food. In many states, particularly Florida, we can feel, and see how they are taking over the habitats of native species. The ability for the Red-eared sliders to easily adapt to numerous climates, and various habitats gives them an even greater potential for impacting native habitats if they reproduce.

The most hazardous issue with these Red-eared sliders is the threat of salmonellosis, an illness caused by bacteria that is found in reptiles that result in an infection of the small intestines. When these sliders are ranched for the pet trade they are often extremely septic. It has been well-documented of children who have been diagnosed with salmonellosis due to ranched Red-eared sliders. This goes into a deeper issue because the sliders who are released into the wilder spread diseases like salmonellosis, and parasites into the environment. It would severely negatively impact indigenous wild turtles. Not only sharing the same habitat with them, but also the high numbers of interbreeding. The Red-eared Sliders interbreeds with our native Yellow-bellied Sliders. In other states these Red-eared sliders are also hybridizing with Big-bend Sliders. These critters look beautiful, and are fun to have as pets; but, people unconsciously are harming the environment by releasing them into the wild.

Did you know?

• The sex of the Red-eared Slider is determined by the temperature during development
• Red-eared Sliders live around ponds and can swim well underwater.
• Pond sliders communicate with touch and vibrations
• Are considered among the word's 100 most invasive species (The Humane Society

By Karly Rudy