Red-eared Slider Turtle

 Chrysemys scripta elegans

This North American genus Chrysemys, includes many species and subspecies which are all fresh water turtles.   They range in size from small to medium-sized animals.  The Red-eared turtle is a subspecies of the Pond Slider, a common turtle that ranges throughout the eastern United States.  These turtles are the ones most commonly found in the pet trade and whose numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss and indiscriminate harvesting of the young.  Of the thousands that are sold in the pet trade only a very small number survive past the first year.

 Their diet is primarily small animals such as insects, worms, and aquatic animals; however, they will also eat plant material.  Our morning diet for these turtles consists of 1 dozen smelt and raw meat.  Males usually have longer claws on their front toes and are smaller than females. Their carapace is five to eight inches and weigh two to five pounds.  These turtles have paddle-like feet and a web at their bases connects their toes.  Life span is twenty to thirty years.

 Yellow-Spotted Sideneck Turtle

 Podocnemis unifilis

These small fresh-water turtles inhabit northern South America.  They get their name from the bright yellow spots on their head and neck.  Their carapace is fourteen to twenty-seven inches, weigh five to fifteen pounds and live to seventy years. They draw in their heads by bending the neck vertically and laying the head to the side in the final movement so the spinal cord is S-shaped.  Their diet is primarily small animals such as insects, worms, and aquatic animals; however, they will also eat plant material.  Our diet for these turtles consists of fruits, chopped greens, moistened dog food, smelt and raw meat.