Red-eared slider turtle

• This freshwater turtle grows up to 30cm long.
• Their eyes have distinctive red strips behind them.
• Their heads can retract into their shells (unlike native turtles).
• Mature turtles are aggressive and bite.
• The pet trade has developed colour morphs of red-eared slider turtles:
  • ‘Pastel’ turtles have a lighter colour with varying amounts of red and yellow.
  • ‘Albino’ turtles have bright yellow as juveniles with colour fading as the turtle ages.
  • ‘Melanistic’ turtles have little to no colouration including no red strip.

3D model

• View the 3D model to help you identify this animal. You can magnify the image and manipulate the view to inspect the animal from every angle.

• Red-eared slider turtles are very adaptable to Australian waterways.
• They can move up to 9km from water to find suitable habitat, search for a mate or lay eggs. Nests are dug well above water level, usually within 500m of water but sometimes up to 1.6km away.

• The species has been found in the wild in South East Queensland.
• Known populations are thought to have been eradicated.

• Turtles are sexually mature at 2–5 years of age.
• A female can lay up to 70 eggs per year and can produce viable eggs for up to 5 years after mating.
• Their maximum life span is generally 20–30 years.

Environmental

• Affect a range of aquatic prey, including rare amphibians.
• Can take over waterbird nests for basking sites, and damage and prey on eggs and hatchlings.
• Outcompete native turtle species for food and space in waterways.
• Carry pathogens and diseases that can kill native turtles and other aquatic wildlife.

Social

• Captive red-eared slider turtles have been a source of salmonella infection in humans in the United States.

• Very few natural predators in Australia.

• Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact us online, by phone or in person.

• The red-eared slider turtle is a category 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014 . You must not:
  • move it
  • keep it
  • feed it
  • give it away
  • sell it
  • release it into the environment.

If you do any of these, penalties may apply.

• You must take all reasonable and practical measures that are under your control to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with red-eared slider turtles. This is part of your general biosecurity obligation .
• You must report any sightings immediately using 1 of these methods:
  • Report online.
  • Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
  • Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
• Each local government must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive animals in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken for red-eared slider turtles. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.