![]() Little is known about the mating system in Red-eared sliders. In order to communicate with each other, they use eye-rolling, vibrations, touches, and displays. ![]() Their eyes have receptors that can see ultraviolet, violet, blue, green, and red light. When the temperature begins to drop again, however, they quickly return to a brumation state. In warmer winter climates, they can become active and come to the surface for basking. Individuals usually brumate underwater, but they may also be found under banks and rocks and in hollow stumps. They remain nearly motionless, and the frequency of their breathing falls. During this time, the turtles enter a state of sopor (deep sleep), during which they do not eat or defecate. They generally become inactive in October, when temperatures fall below 10 ☌ (50 ☏). In the wild, Red-eared sliders brumate over the winter at the bottoms of ponds or shallow lakes. Red-eared sliders do not hibernate, but actually brumate while they become less active, they do occasionally rise to the surface for food or air. They are often found sunbathing in a group or even on top of each other. Habitat: Typically prefers quiet waters but can tolerate brackish environments, human-made canals, and city park ponds.ĭiet: Omnivorous generalist, eating a variety of aquatic plants and algae in addition to aquatic invertebrates and fish.Red-eared sliders are diurnal and spend most of their time in the water however, as they are cold-blooded, they leave the water to sunbathe to regulate their temperature. Its range extends as far west as eastern New Mexico and as far south as Texas. Range: In its indigenous range, the Red-eared Slider is found as far north as Illinois and east as far as West Virginia. It is rarely seen outside of water except to bask on flat rocks or fallen trees above the water’s surface. Native to the Midwest and parts of the south, this turtle has been steadily introduced to places outside of its indigenous range since the 1930s either by release or escape. Rafael helps us educate people on the all-to-common sad fates of many Red-eared Sliders that are purchased as pets and why it is so important to do research and understand the commitment required before adopting an animal Red-eared Slider ( Trachemys scripta elegans)ĭescription: A medium-sized aquatic turtle with a broad red-orange stripe behind the eye. Rafael’s story has a happy ending, but many Red-eared Sliders don’t. Rafael lives in our exhibit room with his roommate Michelangelo the Eastern Painted Turtle. ![]() In 2015, we decided to invite Rafael to live with us at the Sharon Audubon Center as an educational resident. Thankfully for Rafael, he ended up with one of our animal care volunteers at the Sharon Audubon Center, who provided him with excellent care for several years in the hopes of finding him a new forever home. This is a common story for many Red-eared Sliders, as they are often sold in pet stores as tiny babies and people do not realize how large they get, how much care they require, and how long they live. History: Like many Red-eared Sliders, Rafael was a pet that someone was no longer able to take care of. Photo: Jonathan Dosterīrought to Sharon Audubon Center: June 2015
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