A normal colored half grown red-ear.Thanks to aid and abetting by the human race (and more specifically the pet trade) the Red-eared Slider, Trachemy scripta elegans, is now quite probably the most numerous and widespread turtle in the world. Originally known only from the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River Valley states, because of its popularity as a pet turtle and the ability of releasees and escapees to adapt to new and different temperature and habitat regimes, this turtle is now known far outside of its one-time range in the USA. It is now a well-known species in many other countries as well. Some of these foreign ports of landing and stability are ponds, lakes, and other waterways in Australia, Europe, Great Britain, South Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Israel, Bahrain, the Mariana Islands, Guam, southeast and far-east Asia, and several Central and South American countries. Where they are present they are usually easily observable, both while swimming and basking.

Although this species has been produced in many temperature and genetically influenced colors and patterns we are basically talking about normalcy here. Except for the yellow plastron hatchlings are green with lighter green to yellow markings and (usually) a red ear-stripe. The albinos are, of course, white with reddish ear stripes and occasionally additional facial striping.There are 6 pairs of darker ocelli on the plastron. And in keeping with turtles in this species complex in general, as males grow and age a suffusion of melanin darkens them. Some individuals become so dark that no other colors or markings remain visible. All colors can vary in intensity.

The red-eared slider is the same little turtle, the “little green turtle,” that was sold last century in the pet departments of almost every 5 and dime and department store in the nation. They, and the totally useless little plastic turtle bowls (adorned with a plastic palm tree) were also sold in the various countries where these turtles are now present and are considered an invasive species. The primary food then suggested for the turtles was dried ant eggs! If cared for as then directed soft shells, swollen and closed eyes were soon followed by the death of the turtle. On the other hand, if by either accident or intent the turtle was given ample room to grow and exercise, to swim and to bask, and provide with a diet of greens and fresh animal matter (worms, fish etc.), a lifespan of 25 to 60 years may be attained.

Adult at 6 to 9 inches in carapace length, an occasional individual may exceed 12”. Females are usually the larger gender. Determining gender of adults is an easy task. Not only do females have a short and rather slender tail but they have short claws on their forefeet. Males, on the other hand, have a long and thick tail and long claws on their forefeet. The elongate claws of the males are instrumental in courtship and may also help determine dominance over other males by the strongest and most persistent male. Sexing hatchlings is, in contrast, impossible.

A late winter to early summer breeder, the red-ear can have up to 6 clutches of from 4 to 25+ eggs each season. Clutch size depends on the health and size of the female. Based on temperature and ground moisture incubation varies from 2 to 3 ½ months.