Slider Turtle Habitat

Native Climate

• Red-eared sliders are very common in many freshwater areas, particularly in the Southeastern United States. This includes both dry and arid desert climates as well as cooler, more rainy climates. Native states include Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and as far North as Iowa and Illinois. These areas typically have warmer waters and warmer winters than more Northern climates.

Natural Habitat

• The red-eared slider will be found in almost all bodies of fresh water in its native range. As an aquatic turtle, it spends the majority of its time in the water. An ideal natural habitat has plenty of logs and rocks protruding from the water on which the turtle crawls up to bask in the sun, as well as soft, muddy-bottomed bodies of water for the slider to hide in the mud. Plenty of aquatic vegetation in these bodies of water for the adult slider to eat is important. As a juvenile or hatchling, the red-eared slider prefers insects and small fish.

Natural Winter Habitat

• If the turtle's natural habitat drops below 50 F it will begin to hibernate. Even though the body of water the turtle inhabits is frozen on the surface, it can survive in hollow logs and driftwood beneath the surface. Some areas of the red-eared slider's native habitat may not drop this low in temperature, and if that is the case the turtle will resume normal behavior during the winter months.

Introduction to Other Habitats

• The red-eared slider is tolerant of many different climates, and can be found in various habitats all over the world due to being an introduced and invasive species. In Canada for example, the red-eared slider can be found in habitats that are extremely cold and completely frozen for much longer than areas in the Southern United States. The red-eared slider has also been introduced to Europe, Australia and Asia and thrives in habitats that are similar to its native habitats. As long as there is a suitable habitat of fresh water, the red-eared slider can survive.

Captive Habitat

• Hatchling red-eared sliders are quite small and can do well in 10- to 20-gallon aquariums. However, the turtle has the potential to grow to almost 1 foot in length, and will require a much larger tank when it is an adult. To determine the size of tank your turtle will require, calculate 10 gallons of tank for ever inch of turtle head to tail.
  Red-eared sliders need UVA lighting to replicate natural light cycles, UVB light for vitamin D3 production and heat lights to bask under. One of the most important decorations in a red-eared slider tank is a place to bask, such a floating log or tall rock.

  Outdoor habitat can be set up using the natural sun as a heat and light source and an outdoor pond as the primary enclosure. The habitat should be fenced in to prevent the turtle from escaping and predators such as raccoons from harming the turtle.