Red-eared Slider (Reptiles of Alabama)

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

Summary ⁶

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), also known as the red-eared terrapin, is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of the pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and is also popular as a pet in the rest of the world. It has, therefore, become the most commonly-traded turtle in the world. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, but...

Description ⁷

A small turtle, with carapace length of up to 300 mm. Carapace moderately depressed, slightly elongate, smooth, with a weak mid-dorsal ridge; posterior edge with moderate indentations. Plastron flat. Head moderate, snout elongate. All limbs with 5 claws, partly webbed. Males smaller than females, with long claws on fore-limb and longer tail. Color of carapace and dorsal sides of limbs and head dark green with numerous yellow stripes; a short, broad, red stripe behind each eye. Ventral sides yellow, with a pattern of dark green lines and spots.