Providing them with appropriate nutrition is necessary to maintain healthy growth, as well as meeting their needs with excellent water quality and UVB lighting. Multiple factors can affect the size of your red eared slider. Factors Affecting the Size of Red Eared Slider Turtles Females tend to be larger than males, so you can expect a faster growth rate with a female than a male, although these turtles in general grow quickly, which keeps them safe in the wild. They will have little to no growth left after 5 years, although their weight may shift with age. Red eared sliders will grow until they are around 5 years of age, which is when they are considered to have reached adulthood. When Does a Red Eared Slider Turtle Stop Growing? They do make good pets, though, and tend to be curious and interactive with their people, especially during mealtimes. They can live for decades, with some turtles living to their 30s, so the red eared slider is not a short-term commitment. These turtles are named for the red stripe behind their eye, and the “slider” part of their name refers to their tendency to slide from rocks, logs, and other basking spots when they feel threatened or startled. They can be purchased from breeders, however. These turtles should never be taken from the wild, though, and in many places, they are protected. Red eared sliders are native turtles in the US, and they are the most common aquatic turtle species in most US states. Let’s talk about how big red eared slider turtles get. A fully grown red eared slider turtle can grow to be 5–11 inches long. These cute turtles are often purchased when very small, and unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for them to end up in homes that are ill-prepared for their care and long-term needs.īefore bringing one of these turtles home, it’s important to fully understand what you’re getting into, including how large you can expect your turtle to get, since this will impact the size of enclosure you need, as well as the water filtration and food needed. Florida Scientist 62:172-174.Red eared sliders are one of the most popular turtles kept as pets, especially in the realm of aquatic turtles. Aquatic turtles (Testudines: Emydidae) in an urban south Florida man-made pond. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Special Publication No. The ecological impact of man on the south Florida herpetofauna. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 29:144-154. The exotic herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Geographic distribution: Trachemys scripta elegans (red-eared slider). A reproducing population of Trachemys scripta elegans in southern Pinellas County, Florida. The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, D.C. Reptiles as pets: an examination of the trade in live reptiles in the United States. Herpetological Review 25:81.įranke, J., and T. A field guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Army Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA. The herpetofauna of Lake Conway: species accounts. Large-scale operations management test of use of the white amur for control of problem aquatic plants. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Florida. As they age, their color and pattern dulls (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).Īshton, R. The face and limbs are green with numerous yellow stripes, and a broad red stripe is present in the "ear" region. Hatchlings are green with numerous lighter and darker lines. Mature males have elongate front claws and may be patternless and almost black colored. Adults may reach a length of 30.5 cm (12 in). Reproducing populations are present in Florida, and they breed with yellow-bellied sliders in north Florida. As a result, this adaptable species has become established in many areas of the world, including Europe and Japan, where they compete with native turtle species and prey upon fish (summarized by Franke and Telecky 2001). The red-eared slider is the little green turtle that has been sold by the hundreds of millions in dime stores and pet shops throughout the United States, and it is the most commonly exported reptile species, with over 52 million being exported from the United Stages from 1989 through 1997 (Franke and Telecky 2001). A subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta), occurs naturally in north Florida. The red-eared slider is native to the Mississippi River drainages. Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network.Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees.Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
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