Red-Eared Slider
⚠ US: illegal to sell under 4 in (FDA); needs large filtered aquatic setup; invasive if released
Overview
The Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a reptile reaching about 8–12 in and living 20–30 yrs. It is an omnivore, kept in a aquatic set-up. It is tolerant of occasional, gentle handling. With a typical lifespan of around 25 years, it's a long commitment.
Is the Red-Eared Slider right for you?
A good match if — you can build and maintain the right climate and enclosure.
Think twice if — you're not ready for a long commitment (~25 yrs).
What a Red-Eared Slider needs from you
The real work is the enclosure: correct heat, lighting/UVB and humidity, plus a moderate amount of space — for this species, a large water area with strong filtration. Feeding means the correct species diet. Get the habitat right and most reptiles are calm, low-drama animals.
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Trachemys scripta elegans
- Adult size
- 8–12 in
- Life span
- 20–30 yrs
- Diet
- omnivore
- Habitat
- aquatic
- Care level
- intermediate
- Handling
- some
- Notes
- ⚠ US: illegal to sell under 4 in (FDA); needs large filtered aquatic setup; invasive if released
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 200 g and a ~25-year life, keeping a Red-Eared Slider works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | no data yet |
| Energy | no data yet |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | no data yet |
| Tolerates alone | no data yet |