Red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Scientific definition of species

Turtles, terrapins and tortoises are all reptiles like snakes or lizards. Red eared sliders are semi-aguatic turtles so they belong in Emydidae-family and more specifically Trachemys-genus. Red eared sliders and yellow eared sliders (trachemys scripta troosti) are the only terrapins (semi-aquatic turtles) that may be imported in Finland. In fact the red eared slider population in Finland is already so big, that import would be necessary!

The natural environment and habitat

Red eared slider's natural habitat are slowly running waters (ponds, rivers, lakes) on both sides of the River Missisippi in USA all the way from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, Central America and partly Brazil. The natural diet of red eared sliders include plant materia and insects and also meat and fish. They spend their day time sun bathing and stretching their limbs on logs and beaches, eating and of course big fun for male-sliders is to chase and mate female-turtles! The most important requirements in keeping RES (=red eared sliders) in captivity are(like with any other reptile)the right temperature (both air and water), right lighting, humidity and diet, and to make effort to make the environment at home to resemble the natural habitat of RES, as much as possible.

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Virpi Louhi

vlouhi@cs.tpu.fi