#Red eared slider predators skin#
#Red eared slider predators full#

These turtles are considered infants until about three months, when they are usually just one inch in diameter. These turtles tend to have a relatively slow pace of growth. While your red-eared slider could grow to be as big as 12 inches in diameter, you shouldn’t expect that to happen very quickly. This size difference usually becomes apparent around the end of adolescence, which is when these turtles are about five years old. While this is uncommon in many animals, it is normal for most turtle species. The females tend to be larger than the males on average. Some individuals can also be significantly smaller, maxing out at around eight inches in diameter.

How Big Do Wild and Captive Red-Eared Sliders Get?īoth in captivity and in the wild, you can expect the typical red-eared slider turtle to reach a maximum size of roughly 10 to 12 inches in diameter.

Known predators for this species include raccoons, otters, mink, foxes and other animals of similar size. Red-eared sliders normally swim for around 30 to 45 minutes at a time and will sometimes sleep underwater for short periods of time, but they can drown as they cannot actually breathe underwater.įemales lay between 2 and 30 eggs per clutch, and the gender of the babies depends on the temperature of the eggs during the gestation period (colder temperatures produce males and warmer temperatures result in females!). Considered one of the most destructive invasive species, as it is a highly opportunistic eater, and when a certain population is reached, it can destabilize habitats. This turtle was originally found in the US and northern part of Mexico but found its way in many parts of the world as a result of pet owners releasing them into the wild. They are the most popular pet turtle species in the United States and the most commonly traded turtle species in the world.

#Red eared slider predators skin#

The red-eared slider, also called the red-eared terrapin, is named for the red stripes on its skin near its ears and the way it slides off rocks and logs into the water.

Appearance: Head, neck, and legs are greenish with yellow stripes with a bottom shell that is yellow with dark, rounded blotches.

Diet: Opportunistic carnivore, east everything, in particular, small fish, insects, and aquatic vegetation.

Native Habitat: Southern United States and Mexico in ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with soft, muddy bottoms.

Lifespan: 20 to 50 years (heavily dependent on care quality and genetics).Type of Turtle: Semi-aquatic member of the Emydidae family.Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans.This is when you should be moving them to a bigger tank to prepare for their next growth spurt. By the time they are four years old, they still may only be about five inches in diameter.

#Red eared slider predators full#

However, they grow notoriously slowly, so it can take them around eight years to reach their full size, and they may keep growing a small amount their entire lives.īaby red-eared sliders have shells that are only around 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The females tend to be at the slightly larger end of the spectrum with the males at the smaller end. Red Eared Sliders grow to between 8 and 12 inches both in the wild and in captivity. How Big Do Cocker Spaniels Get? All You Need to Know About Their Size and GrowthĪdditionally, we’ll take an in-depth look at the main care factors that will influence your red-eared slider’s growth and how you can help them reach their full size.