Red-eared Slider
ExploreReptiles
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
The Red-eared Slider is a friendly turtle that loves to swim in ponds and lakes. It has a bright red mark behind its eyes and enjoys basking in the sun!
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers
Appearance
The Red-eared Slider has a smooth, olive to brown shell, often with yellow streaking. Its head and limbs are green with fine yellow lines, and it is famously identified by a prominent red or orange patch on each side of its head, behind the eyes.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyEmydidaeGenusTrachemys
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
67
Interesting facts
Baby sliders hatch with a special "egg tooth" to break their shell!
Female sliders dig their nests using only their strong back legs.
Red-eared Sliders spend most of their day either swimming or sunbathing.
These turtles can recognize individual people who feed them.
Special abilities
Ability
Shell Shield
Red-eared Slider has a hard, bony shell that acts as a strong shield, protecting it from many potential dangers.
Ability
Basking Buddy
Red-eared Slider can bask in the sun to regulate its body temperature, which helps it stay warm and digest food efficiently.
Ability
Breath Holder
Red-eared Slider can hold its breath for long periods underwater, allowing it to forage for food or hide from predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 12-30 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-2.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-30 years
- Top Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Swim Speed
- 3 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 5-23
- Incubation
- 60-90 days
- Maximum Depth
- 3 m
Diet & Feeding
Young sliders eat bugs and fish, but adults enjoy more greens and aquatic plants!
Age differences: Young turtles are mostly carnivorous, eating insects and small aquatic life; as they mature, their diet shifts to become primarily herbivorous.
Primary Foods
- Aquatic insects
- Small fish
- Tadpoles
- Aquatic plants
- Algae
- Worms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Adult alligators often prey on juvenile and adult sliders.
eaten by
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Large wading birds can snatch young sliders from the water.
eats
Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
Young sliders frequently consume small fish like mosquitofish.
eats
Common Duckweed
Lemna minor
Adult sliders commonly graze on various aquatic plants and algae.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Webbed Feet
Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Also known as
Red-eared Terrapin
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red-eared Slider?
The easiest way to identify Red-eared Slider is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Red-eared Slider?
12-30 cm
How much does Red-eared Slider weigh?
0.5-2.5 kg
How long does Red-eared Slider live?
20-30 years
How fast can Red-eared Slider move?
0.5 km/h
What does Red-eared Slider eat?
Young sliders eat bugs and fish, but adults enjoy more greens and aquatic plants!
How fast can Red-eared Slider swim?
3 km/h
Where is Red-eared Slider usually found?
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 4, 2026
Sonoma Plazai
Photo attribution
(c) Daveozric, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
John J. Tyler Arboretumi
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 31, 2026
Albemarle-Kenmore Terraces Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) foxsu, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Mar 28, 2026
Bricktowni
Photo attribution
(c) nberhe, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 11, 2023
Pomme de Terre Wildlife Management Areai
Photo attribution
(c) Jacob Saucier, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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