Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii)

Short answers

Cumberland slider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Females: at least 130×50×50 cm / 300+ l; males somewhat smaller (~120×50); water at least 30–40 cm deep, a large basking spot.

Cumberland slider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C water, basking spot 32–35 °C (basking spot), at night approx. 22 °C.

Cumberland slider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–4).

Cumberland slider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–50 years.

Cumberland slider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C water

Night temperature

approx. 22 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

— (aquatic)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

females: at least 130×50×50 cm / 300+ l; males somewhat smaller (~120×50); water at least 30–40 cm deep, a large basking spot

Substrate

Fine sand or coarse gravel too large to swallow (or no substrate at all)

Feeding

Food

Juveniles are mostly carnivorous (fish, prawns, insects, snails); adults become increasingly plant-eating (water plants, salads) plus a little protein

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, subadults every other day, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

females ~20–28 cm, males ~15–18 cm

Life expectancy

30–50 years

Origin

The south-eastern USA (the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins)

Protection status

EU Regulation 1143/2014 – an invasive species of Union concern (the whole species Trachemys scripta, since 2016): import, breeding, trade and release are prohibited. Animals already held may be kept on under conditions (escape-proof housing). Never release them into the wild.

Brumation

An optional winter rest is possible (2–3 months at ~5–10 °C for healthy adults); if kept warm throughout it is not essential

Cohabitation

Keep singly. In nature aquatic turtles are loners that only meet for mating and basking; single housing is the least stressful form. Group keeping is only possible with a lot of space, then one male with several females (two females alone are problematic, better at least 3-4 animals); several males stress each other badly, and aggressive animals must be separable. Breeding is prohibited.

Notes

Invasive in the EU – heavily restricted legally (no sale, no breeding, no release). It grows large and long-lived and is often underestimated → many animals handed in. A strong filter and a large basking spot are needed.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) – Intermediate
• Yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) – Beginner to intermediate
• Mexican slider (Trachemys cataspila) – Intermediate
• Mesoamerican slider (Trachemys venusta) – Intermediate
• Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) – Beginner to intermediate
• Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – Intermediate
• Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) – Intermediate
• False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (females: at least 130×50×50 cm / 300+ l; males somewhat smaller (~120×50); water at least 30–40 cm deep, a large basking spot), substrate (Fine sand or coarse gravel too large to swallow (or no substrate at all)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.