Red-eared Slider (non-native)

Description:

• Greenish grey head commonly with a red patch just behind each eye but some individuals lack the red “ear” stripe
• Top shell dark colored with a black and yellow line pattern, margin edge is serrated
• Bottom shell yellow with with black splotches
• Yellow stripes along neck and legs

Habitat:

• Lives in areas with a calm, warm water source, with lots of aquatic vegetation
• Found in ponds, lakes, creeks, marshes and streams
• Thrives in warm climates, especially the southern United States

Impact:

• Red-eared sliders use nesting sites similar to native turtles. Since they lay their eggs a month earlier than native turtles, they attract predators to nesting sites
• Grow larger and lay more eggs than Oregon’s native turtles
• Compete with native turtles for food, basking and nesting sites, and covering habitat
• May introduce parasites or diseases to native turtle populations

Status:

• Regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) as Prohibited Non-Native Wildlife
• Illegal to import/bring into Oregon or possess live without a permit from ODFW
• More information about Red-eared Sliders can be found here

Range:

• Naturally occurs throughout much of eastern United States