Red-eared slider

Red-eared Slider
Red-eared slider
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Subclass: Anapsida Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Genus: Trachemys Species: T. scripta Subspecies: T. s. elegans
Trinomial name
Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)

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The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semi-aquatic turtle (terrapin) belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a native of the southern United States, but has become common in various areas of the world due to the pet trade. They are very popular pets in the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and England.

Contents 1 Taxonomy and evolution 2 Distribution and Habitat 3 Behavior 3.1 Diet 3.2 Hibernation/Brumation 3.3 Reproduction 4 Red-eared Sliders as Pets 4.1 Some Common Problems in Captivity 4.1.1 See also 5 References 6 External links

Taxonomy and evolution

Red-eared Sliders (RES) are members of the order Testudines, which contains nearly 250 species. In the United States and Canada, members of this genus are usually referred to as turtles. However, in the UK they are split into Turtles (aquatic), Tortoises (land), and Terrapins (semi-aquatic). All turtles and tortoises may also be referred to as "chelonians". RES were formerly classified as Chrysemys scripta elegans.

Distribution and Habitat

RES are native to the area around the Mississippi River down to the Gulf of Mexico. They thrive in warmer climates, particularly the Southeast quadrant of the United States. Such an area would be east of and below Colorado to Virginia down to Florida. They naturally reside in areas with calm, fresh, warm water sources. This includes ponds, lakes, marshes, creeks, and streams. They prefer quiet areas with a basking area, such a large flat rock or a floating log, in full sunlight. It is common for RES to bask together and even on top of each other. There is also abundant vegetation, which is the main component of an adult slider's diet. Wild RES will stay close to a water source unless they are in search of a new one. A female RES will also leave the water if she needs to nest and lay her eggs. The pet trade has expanded their range around the world, often at the expense of native terrapins. Therefore, it is not difficult to locate RES in some suitable habitat anywhere in the world. Pet RES should not be released into a wild habitat. These pets could carry organisms that the wild populations are not immune to and the pet may not have the proper immune system that is required to live in a wild habitat. Disease could easily be spread by this practice. Pet turtles fed commercial diets also may not recognize natural foods and may associate humans with food which could endanger the turtle. Pet owners should contact a rescue organization if they no longer want their turtle.^[1]

Behavior

Female RES grow to be 10-12 inches in length and males 8-10 inches. They are almost entirely aquatic, but do leave the water to bask in the sun and lay eggs. These reptiles are deceptively fast and are also excellent swimmers. They hunt for prey and will attempt to capture it when the opportunity presents itself. They are very aware of predators and people and generally shy away from them. In fact, the RES frantically slides off of rocks and logs when approached - hence the name. Contrary to the popular misconception that RES do not produce saliva, most aquatic turtles have a fixed tongue and this is the reason they must eat their food in water. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Diet

Red-eared Sliders are omnivores and eat a variety of animal and plant materials in the wild including, but not limited to fish, crawfish, carrion, tadpoles, snails, aquatic insects and numerous aquatic plant species. The captive diet for pet RES should closely match the natural diet and can also include other foods such as feeder fish, dead, thawed fuzzy mice, earthworms, cooked egg with the crumbled shell included and leafy greens. Commercial turtle foods should be used sparingly due to insufficient scientific research and vitamin and mineral imbalances. ^[5] Calcium (for shell health) can be supplemented by adding pieces of cuttlebone to the diet. Younger turtles tend to be more carnivorous (eat more animal protein) than adults do. As they grow larger and older, they become increasingly herbivorous. Live foods are particularly enjoyed and add to the quality of life of captive turtles. Providing a wide variety of foods is the key to success with captive RES. ^[6]

Hibernation/Brumation

The term for hibernation in reptiles is brumation. Brumation can occur in varying degrees. RES brumate over the winter at the bottom of ponds or shallow lakes. They become inactive, generally, in October, when temperatures fall below 50° F (10° C). Individuals usually brumate underwater. They have also been found under banks and hollow stumps and rocks. Their brumation does not go uninterrupted. In warmer winter climates they can become active and come to the surface for basking. When the temperature begins to drop again, however, they will quickly return to a brumation state. Sliders will generally come up for food in early March to as late as the end of April.

Reproduction

Courtship and mating activities for RES usually occur between March and July, and take place underwater. The male swims toward the female and begins to flutter or vibrate his long claws on and around her face and head. The female will continue to swim toward the male and, if she is receptive, will sink to the bottom for mating. If the female is not receptive, she may become aggressive towards the male. The courtship can take up to 45 minutes, but the mating itself usually takes only 10-15 minutes. Sometimes a male will appear to be courting another male. This is actually a sign of dominance and the males may begin to fight. Juveniles may display the courtship dance, but until the turtles are five years of age they are not mature and unable to mate. After mating, the female will spend extra time basking in order to keep her eggs warm. She may also have a change of diet, eating only certain foods or not eating as much as she normally would. Ovulation begins in May and egg-laying occurs in May through early July. A female might lay anywhere from two to thirty eggs and the larger females have the largest clutches. One female can lay up to five clutches in the same year and are usually spaced twelve to thirty-six days apart. ^[7] Eggs will hatch about 60-90 days after they have been laid. Babies hatching late in the season may spend the winter in the nest and emerge when the weather warms in the Spring. New hatchlings will cut open their egg with an egg tooth which falls out about an hour after hatching. This tooth never grows back. Hatchlings may stay inside their eggshells after hatching for the first day or two. When a hatchling decides to leave the shell, it will have a small sac hanging from it's plastron. This is the normal remains of the yolk sac and should not be removed. Removing it could be fatal to the hatchling. The sac will fall off by itself, and a split may be noticable in the hatchling's plastron. This will heal on its own.

Red-eared Sliders as Pets

RES are commonly kept as pets and often sold very cheap along with small plastic bowls. These bowls are death traps because they do not meets the needs for proper housing. Contrary to popular belief, RES and other turtles and tortoises are not easy to care for pets. Even though many RES are purchased as pets for children, children should be supervised in their care and never left to be the primary care giver. These turtles can live thirty to forty years with proper care, so turtle ownership is not a commitment to be taken lightly. Any reptile can carry the salmonella bacteria. Turtles can carry this bacteria in their digestive system without becoming sick and can shed it periodically. People can become sick if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling turtles or any equipment used with them. Children and those with impaired immune systems are the ones that usually suffer the most when exposed. Death has been known to occur. Due to unsupervised children putting small turtles into their mouths, the FDA made a regulation in 1975 to discontinue the sale of turtles under 4 inches. Exposure to the salmonella bacteria is easily prevented by thorough hand washing. It is illegal in every state in the U.S. for anyone to sell any turtles under 4 inches long. Although, many stores and flea markets still sell small turtles due to a loophole in the FDA regulation. ^[8] This loophole allows turtles under 4 inches to be sold for "educational" purposes. ^[9] Many sellers will sell small turtles posting a sign that they are for educational purposes but then sell to anyone who wants one. These sellers can be reported and either comply with the regulation or the turtles can be confiscated and quite often destroyed. Some states have other laws and regulations regarding possession of Red-eared Sliders as pets because they are looked upon as invasive species or pests where they are not native but have been introduced through the pet trade. As of July 1, 2007 it is illegal in Florida to sell any wild type RES. Unusual color varieties such as albino and pastel RES, which are derived from captive breeding, are still allowed for sale. ^[10]

Some Common Problems in Captivity

• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) & related problems- pyramiding, soft shell, over-grown beaks & toenails, insufficient UVB & sunlight
• Dystocia (Egg Binding)
• Poor Husbandry- bacterial infections & shell rot, fungal infections, respiratory infections, prolapses, low quality of life, neglect
• Obesity- major organ failure, shortened life span
• Lack of vet care provided by owner
• Poor care information received by owner

These are just some of the more common problems people have with keeping RES as pets. As with any pet, thorough research about its care and needs should be done before acquiring. There is much poor care information on turtles and tortoises promoted through the Internet and at pet stores. It is wise to seek out several sources for care information to assure that information is the best. Stay updated on new information as it becomes available from herpetologists and veterinarians well trained and updated on chelonian care. Here are some things to learn about that are often overlooked in keeping RES in captivity:

• 1. Water quality must be kept high.
• 2. "Full spectrum" and reptile UVB fluorescent lights are not equal substitutes for direct unfiltered sunlight. Even UV-B Heat Lamps or Self-Ballasted Mercury Vapor lights are not proven to be equal substitutes for direct unfiltered sunlight. However, these two latter bulbs produce higher levels of UVB rays than the two former bulbs.
• 3. Reptile UVB fluorescent lights gradually lose their ability to produce beneficial UVB rays after about 6 months of use and should be replaced even if they still work.
• 4. UVB from sunlight and artificial UVB light is filtered out if glass or plastic is between the bulb and the basking area.
• 5. Hibernation or brumation is not possible indoors at room temperature. Twelve hours of light per day prevents hibernation mode.
• 6. Mature female turtles can lay eggs even if never with a male. These eggs are infertile.
• 7. Laying eggs in water is unnatural and stressful.
• 8. Mature females need dirt to lay eggs in. Some will not lay eggs indoors.
• 9. Dystocia (egg binding) is the inability to lay eggs due to tank confinement with insufficient/undesirable dirt/land areas, shell deformities or nutritional imbalances. It can be lethal.
• 10. Groups of turtles should have sex ratios of at least 2 females per male to avoid mating pressure and injuries from over mating. ^[11]

See also

• Trachemys
• Terrapins

References

• Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied: Verzeichnis der Reptilien welche auf einer Reise im nördlichen America beobachtet wurden. Nova Acta Acad. CLC Nat. Cur. 32, I, 8, Dresden 1865 (With 7 illustrations by Karl Bodmer. Also: Frommann, Jena.)
• Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied: Maximilian Prince of Wied’s Travels in the Interior of North America, during the years 1832 – 1834. Achermann & Comp., London 1843-1844 (Translation by H. Evans Lloyd).

External links

• Discovery Channel's Animal Planet: RES
• Frogs and turtle named by Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied
• Red Ear Slider :: Welcome
• Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society: Red-Eared Slider
• Information on acquatic turtles & tortoises including a few articles specific to Red-eared Terrapin
• Austin's Turtle Page
• Red-eared Slider - Trachemys scripta Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide
• Turtle Times