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I saw this cute baby red-eared slider at Aquarena
Center in San Marcos on 27 May 2003. It was eating some
of the aquatic vegetation growing out of control in the spring-fed
lake. The turtle wasn't much bigger than a silver
dollar. The picture is a little blurry due to my vantage
point--about 20 feet above the turtle on a walkway.
The read "ears" are a popular feature;
millions of these turtles have been sold as pets (though in the US
it's now illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches in length except
for educational purposes). Young turtles are typically the
most colorful. Older specimens tend to fade with age, and
some old males become nearly black. Additionally, the older
turtles often develop algae on their carapaces which obscures any
residual markings.
Sliders are probably the most abundant turtle in
the United States. They originated in the southeast, but
have been introduced nationwide and also to Europe. The map
shown here is a little more of a historical range (besides
Hawai'i, of course). I've seen them in Washington State as
well (obviously introduced). |
