Just as I did a year ago, today it’s time to shell-ebrate World Turtle Day (May 23). This year, I focus on the Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) or Red-Eared Terrapin. These are a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys script). They are native to the Midwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Do you see that tiny red stripe just past the eye? That is a distinguishing trait of the Red-Eared Slider. That small red strip (you may have to click to enlarge the photo) gives this slider its name.
I ran into this small turtle three weeks ago while biking along the trails in Teravista. Photographing turtles is always a joy. Unlike other animals, they allow the photographer ample time to get various angles. However, as I got closer and closer, what you see in the following photo happened. Ok, it was time to return to biking.
They are a popular pet not only in the USA but also worldwide. Maybe that is why we see so many in our neighborhood ponds. As I previously noted, they can be found worldwide because of irresponsible pet parenting. When a pet owner gets one of these and releases it into the wild, they outcompete native species. According to Wikipedia, the “red-eared slider is included in the list of the world’s 100 most invasive species.” I captured the next photo a month ago. Two families and their kids walked over to the pond with that bucket. By the size of the turtle, it had outgrown someone’s tank.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Teravista, Texas, Turtle, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Samiran Mandal
https://wp.me/pgzhVd-xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link.
Samiran Mandal
We cultivate Terrapin & Batagur baska in the Sundarban
Egidio Leitao
That’s nice.
SoyBend
Great markings on this species. This is probably the kind I had as a pet when I was a young child. I think mine died of old age and didn’t get released into the wild.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks again.
Rebecca Cuningham
Cute turtle, too bad they’re an invasive species! We humans spread the animals around where they should not be, like the snakes in Florida.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca. Humans don’t realize the problem they create sometimes.
Amy
I haven’t seen it before! Looks pretty big.
Egidio Leitao
When they’re older, they can get pretty big.
restlessjo
Some people are so thoughtless, Egidio. What a lovely wee beastie xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing, Jo.
PR
Very interesting turtle!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
Hammad Rais
My elder uncle have a baby Russian turtle. My son had asked to take it as his pet but my wife had said no always because she ain’t a big fan of crawling animals.
Or any other animal either 🙂
Egidio Leitao
It’s hard saying no to kids, but sometimes necessary.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
What a great shot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. I’m glad you liked the photos.
I. J. Khanewala
The “pet trade” is responsible for a lot of damage. Not only for the places where irresponsible pet owners live, but also because the demand for these pets devastated the ecosystem from which these animals are taken.
Egidio Leitao
I couldn’t have phrased it any better. Thanks.
Cheryl Petersen
Turtles are out and about here. We stop along the road to help them across.
Egidio Leitao
That is very nice of you to help them. Thanks for writing.
shoreacres
Turtles are fun to photograph, especially if they’re on land and not covered with mud on a log or swimming in the water. Around here, they often require rescue in the spring as they emerge from the mud. Their propensity for trying to cross busy roads on their way to ‘wherever’ can lead to some unfortunate encounters with traffic.
Egidio Leitao
It’s so sad when I see one on a street. I haven’t seen that happen around here, thankfully. I like photographing them.
shoreacres
In spring, many people carry a cardboard box and a towel in their car, just in case they need to help one along. There’s a woman in town who can repair broken shells if one’s hit but doesn’t have internal injuries. Who knew that fiberglass could be so useful?
Anne Sandler
Perfect turtle Egidio. One of my sons had a red eared turtle, Snapper. He should have been named Houdini since he was an escape artist, getting out of his tank. One time, he got sick and I found the Turtle Society in Los Angeles. I called and was told that we should give him some tetracycline. Fortunately, my father-in-law was a doctor and had some at home. Snapper survived, but years later he died. I don’t know what the life expectancy for those turtles are, but Snapper had a good life with us.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, what a great story. I Googled about their life expectancy: 20-30 years in the wild and 40-50 in captivity with proper care. Amazing!