Red-eared slider

Description

The adults are olive green in colour. The plastron is yellow with dark patches in the centre of each scute. The young have a lighter green shell and the skin has yellowish green to dark green lines. They have a wide horizontal stripe behind each eye that is red or yellow depending on the subspecies. They have webbed feet that help them swim.

Ethology

During courtship, the male vibrates its front claws against the head of the female. The females excavate nests in the ground with their rear legs. They lay 4-23 eggs that they then later cover with loose earth. The eggs hatch approximately 60-90 days after laying. During winter, if the temperature of the water drops below 10ºC, these turtles become inactive.

Interesting facts

It is one of the most harmful 100 exotic invasive species. Although trading with this species is prohibited, for years they have been released into the wild. In Spain, they compete for food and sunning places with other types of autochthonous terrapins, causing the latter to be at risk of extinction.