Red-eared Sliderミシシッピアカミミガメ
Trachemys scriptaLC— Least Concern
The red-eared slider is a freshwater turtle native to the central and southern United States, easily recognized by the red stripe behind each eye. Popularized worldwide by the pet trade, it has been released into the wild across six continents and is now considered one of the world's most invasive turtle species, including in Japan, where roughly a million were imported annually in the mid-1990s. Omnivorous and adaptable, juveniles favor animal prey while adults shift toward a more plant-based diet.
Red-eared Slider (reference photo)
Species Data
- Classification
- Testudines / Emydidae Source
- Size
- Carapace length generally around 15–20 cm, reaching a maximum of 28 cm
- Weight
- Around 900 g to 1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- Often lives about 20–30 years, with records exceeding 40 years
- Diet
- Omnivore Omnivorous; juveniles lean strongly carnivorous, while adults shift toward a plant-based diet of aquatic plants, algae, and fruit. Also eats fish, frogs, and tadpoles
- Activity
- Strongly aquatic but fond of basking; overwinters in a hibernation-like state (brumation)
- Distribution
- Native to the central and southern United States and northern Mexico; widely introduced worldwide, including Japan, through the pet trade and subsequent releases. Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- In the mid-1990s, roughly one million individuals were imported into Japan annually, and this pet-trade popularity later fueled widespread releases into the wild. Source
- Sex is determined by incubation temperature; experiments found clutches incubated at 22.5-27°C produced only males, while 30°C produced only females. Source
- Widespread release of unwanted pets has established populations on six continents, leading conservationists to describe it as the world's most invasive turtle species. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3
Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).
Iida Shiritsu DoubutsuenNaganoAddress: 33 Ogimachi, Iida, Nagano.
Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Least Concern (LC)
Sources
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FAQ
- Why is the red-eared slider considered invasive?
- Decades of pet-trade popularity led to widespread releases of unwanted turtles into the wild, establishing populations on six continents and making it one of the most invasive turtle species in the world. Source
- How is the sex of a red-eared slider determined?
- Like many turtles, sex depends on the incubation temperature of the egg; experiments found that lower temperatures around 22.5-27°C produced all-male clutches, while about 30°C produced all-female clutches. Source
- How long do red-eared sliders live?
- They commonly live 20 to 30 years, and some well-cared-for individuals have lived more than 40 years. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org