The popularity of red-eared sliders’ in the pet trade has helped them spread across the world. They mainly eat aquatic plants but will consume small aquatic animals, such as insects, fish, and tadpoles. As omnivores, red-eared sliders can eat a wide variety of food items. When the weather gets too cold, they overwinter by burying themselves in mud. Red-eared sliders are ‘cold-blooded.’ Because of this, they are often seen basking on logs and rocks to warm up. Red-eared sliders will also use man-made water bodies, including canals and reservoirs. They prefer freshwater water bodies, like ponds, rivers, and wetlands. Red-eared sliders can thrive in many different environments. Adults reach sizes of 6–12 inches when fully grown and can live over 30 years. New hatchlings look like small adults, but with brighter colors and markings that fade as the turtle ages. The head, legs, and tail are dark green with yellow stripes. Their top shell is usually dark brown, and their bottom shell is yellow or cream with black blotches. No other turtle species in Michigan has this colorful head marking. The turtle’s most unique feature is a bright red stripe behind each eye, which gives it its common name. The red-eared slider ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the south-central United States. A unique feature The red stripe of the red-eared slider is evident in this close up. However, it is one of the most invasive reptile species in the world threatening freshwater ecosystems across the globe. For example, the red-eared slider is a favorite among pet owners. Turtles might make for interesting pets, but they cause serious problems if released into the wild.
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