Pond Slider

Trachemys scripta

Also known as: Red-Eared Terrapin, Common Slider, Slider, Cumberland Slider Turtle, Red-Eared Slider Turtle

About This Species

A freshwater turtle that spends much of the day basking on logs, rocks, and banks to regulate its body temperature, typically in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. It is native to the southeastern United States but has been widely introduced elsewhere through the pet trade, so it now turns up basking in urban ponds and waterways far outside its natural range. Warm, sunny mornings are the best time to spot groups piled on partly submerged logs or debris.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

In its native range, sudden movement or noise will send basking turtles diving into the water, so a slow approach and quiet observation from the bank gives the best view.
Where it has been introduced, it is often treated as an invasive species subject to local control or removal measures rather than protection, so anyone considering handling or relocating one should check local wildlife regulations first, as these vary widely between regions.

LCTestudinesNaNEmydidae

Seasonal Activity

215,483 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

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Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Testudines
Order: NaN
Family: Emydidae

Photo

no rights reserved, uploaded by Glenn Berry

CC0-1.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.