| The red ear slider turtle originated in the southern | | | | wild, you'll know why. They often display a certain |
| United States but has reached other parts of the | | | | behavior known as neustophagia. |
| world through the pet trade. It is now considered the | | | | When this species of turtle starts to feed, it slides its |
| most common pet turtle. There are some interesting | | | | lower jaw through the water's surface. While doing |
| tidbits about this popular turtle you might want to | | | | this, tiny food particles in the water float through the |
| know about. | | | | mouth and into the pharynx where it is stored. When |
| You Can Tell The Difference | | | | the turtle closes its mouth it pushes the water out |
| Many people wonder how to tell the difference | | | | through its nostrils. The food particles left in the |
| between a male and female red ear slider turtle. | | | | pharynx are then gulped down. What an interesting |
| Longer and fatter tails characterize the males. Males | | | | but effective way to have a meal! |
| also tend to have longer claws and the cloacal | | | | Immunity |
| opening is out from beneath the shell. On the other | | | | It's been found out in previous years that these |
| hand, females are characterized with shorter claws | | | | turtles may carry salmonella bacteria without getting |
| and tails with a cloacal opening nearer to the shell and | | | | sick. The bacteria are carried in the digestive system |
| body. | | | | of turtles without affecting the turtles themselves. |
| Males Display A Mating Dance | | | | Now the thing is, humans can get sick with salmonella |
| Speaking of male and female turtles, let's talk about | | | | due to infection from their pet turtles. It is however |
| their mating behavior. What's interesting about their | | | | easy to prevent infection by simply washing your |
| mating behavior is their mating dance! The mating | | | | hands thoroughly after handling your turtle. |
| dance of the red ear slider turtle is in fact extremely | | | | Ecological Impact From A Tiny Turtle |
| intricate and enjoyable to observe. | | | | Believe it or not a tiny red ear slider turtle can have a |
| First, the male swims in the direction of the female | | | | huge impact on the local ecology. Now it's already |
| and begins to touch her face using its front claws. He | | | | been introduced to various parts of the world. |
| may also do the same to her front shell. A male red | | | | Although these turtles can survive almost |
| ear slider turtle may circle around the female in | | | | everywhere, the local wildlife may be threatened. |
| attempts to win her attention. Mating will often take | | | | Their diet is so varied it is known to compete with |
| place around 15 minutes after the mating dance. | | | | the native wildlife. |
| However, if the female does not accept the | | | | There's usually no harm in owning a red ear slider |
| invitation, she may simply ignore the male or start a | | | | turtle as long as you're responsible and committed. |
| fight with him. | | | | Many owners who are no longer able to care for |
| Feeding Quirks | | | | their pet turtle release it into the wild. This causes a |
| As you can see, these turtles are very interesting | | | | disruption in the local ecology. |
| and unique creatures. If you see one feeding in the | | | | |