Pond SliderTrachemys scriptaWhere and when to see them

The pond slider is a freshwater turtle native to parts of the central and eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. In the Mississippi River basin, the familiar native form is the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans. These turtles are often seen basking on fallen trees along quiet waterways. Their name refers to their habit of sliding quickly into the water when disturbed. Although native within much of this region, pond sliders introduced through the pet trade have become invasive in many other parts of the world.

Size

Adults typically have a shell length of 12–30 cm (5–12 in); females are larger than males.

Weight

Adults generally weigh about 0.5–3 kg (1–7 lb), depending on size and sex.

Lifespan

Often 20–30 years, with some individuals living longer, especially in captivity.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

Pond sliders are mainly active during daylight hours, alternating between feeding in the water and basking above it. Basking helps them regulate body temperature. Several turtles may share a log, sometimes crowding closely together where suitable basking sites are limited. They are alert to approaching movement and often drop into the water before people get close. During courtship, males flutter their elongated front claws near a female's face. Females leave the water to dig nests in soil and may travel some distance to find a suitable site. In colder parts of their range, sliders become largely inactive during winter, usually sheltering underwater.

• The pond slider includes the red-eared, yellow-bellied, and Cumberland sliders.
• Males usually have much longer front claws than females.
• Nest temperature influences whether hatchlings develop as males or females.
• A single basking log may support several sliders at once.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

Pond sliders favor freshwater habitats with slow currents, soft bottoms, aquatic vegetation, and accessible basking sites. Along the Mississippi, they are particularly associated with backwaters, oxbow lakes, sloughs, and sheltered river margins. They also inhabit ponds, marshes, reservoirs, and drainage channels. Quiet floodplain waters generally offer better conditions than the river's fast-flowing main channel. Nearby terrestrial habitat is important for nesting.

Pond sliders are omnivores that eat both aquatic plants and animals. Young turtles tend to consume a greater proportion of animal food, including aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Adults generally eat more vegetation, while continuing to take animal prey and carrion when available. They normally feed underwater.

Common name

Pond Slider

Scientific name

Trachemys scripta

Animal group

Reptiles

Size

Adults typically have a shell length of 12–30 cm (5–12 in); females are larger than males.

Weight

Adults generally weigh about 0.5–3 kg (1–7 lb), depending on size and sex.

Lifespan

Often 20–30 years, with some individuals living longer, especially in captivity.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

Identification

Look for an oval, slightly domed shell and yellow striping on the head, neck, and limbs. Red-eared sliders, the form most likely in the Mississippi basin, typically have a red or orange patch behind each eye. The upper shell is usually olive to brown, while the yellow underside often bears dark markings. Older males can become very dark and lose much of their obvious pattern, so the absence of a bright ear patch does not rule out a slider.