Don't Let It Loose! - Red-eared Slider

Don’t Let It Loose! – Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans

Where does the species originate from?

Red-eared sliders are native to the southern United States and northern Mexico.

How are they introduced and spread?

Red-eared sliders have been widely introduced through the pet trade.  Turtle ownership reached its peak in popularity during the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when it was revealed the crime fighting “heroes in a half shell” were red-eared sliders.  Unfortunately many turtles escaped or were intentionally released into the wild when owners grew tired of caring for them; not realizing the turtles can live up to 40 years and grow up to 13 inches.

Environmental impact:

Red-eared sliders are very aggressive turtles and will often displace and outcompete native turtles for common food, nesting and basking sites.  Red-eared sliders released into the wild may also transmit parasites or disease to native populations.

Turtle facts:

·       The red-eared slider is on the list of 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.

·       Small turtles may carry the salmonella bacteria that can be transmitted to humans.

·       A group of turtles is called a “bale”.

Don’t Let It Loose! Educate yourself about the needs of a particular species before buying.  How big will it grow?  How long will it live?  How much care will it need?

Submitted by Jen Poirier