Mexican slider (Trachemys cataspila)

Short answers

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

An aqua-terrarium from ~120×60×60 cm for one juvenile or single animal; considerably larger for adults (from ~150×60 cm).

Mexican slider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 26–30 °C all year round (tropical), basking spot 38–42 °C (dry basking spot), at night 22–25 °C (air above the water).

Mexican slider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended.

Mexican slider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Mexican slider: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 26–30 °C all year round (tropical)

Night temperature

22–25 °C (air above the water)

Basking spot

38–42 °C (dry basking spot)

Humidity

Not critical (aquatic); the basking spot must stay dry

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from ~120×60×60 cm for one juvenile or single animal; considerably larger for adults (from ~150×60 cm)

Substrate

Fine sand or rounded gravel; robust water plants; an egg-laying site for the females

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous; juveniles mostly animal food (insects, snails, small fish, crayfish), adults increasingly plant-eating (water plants, lettuce, dandelion) plus pellets and a cuttlebone

Feeding interval

juveniles daily; adults animal food 2×/week, plant food always available

Key facts

Adult size

females up to ~30 cm, males smaller (~20–25 cm)

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

North-eastern Mexico (Tamaulipas to Veracruz, San Luis Potosí)

Protection status

NOT on the EU Union list of invasive alien species - belongs to the Trachemys venusta complex (not T. scripta) and is not CITES-listed, so it is freely tradeable. Taxonomy is inconsistent (often listed as Trachemys venusta cataspila). Because of the risk of confusion with the EU-banned T. scripta elegans (red cheek patch), keep proof of species/origin on hand

Brumation

None (a tropical species) – keep them warm all year, with no cold overwintering

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. As is usual with Trachemys, the males harass the females heavily during courtship and are aggressive towards each other – keep them singly

Notes

Poorly delimited both taxonomically and in the trade; the husbandry data are derived from the T. venusta complex (hence medium confidence). No winter rest – a difference from the North American painted and map turtles. It grows strong and is fond of swimming.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Mexican slider (Trachemys cataspila) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) – Intermediate
• D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) – Intermediate
• Yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) – Beginner to 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 Mexican slider (Trachemys cataspila) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from ~120×60×60 cm for one juvenile or single animal; considerably larger for adults (from ~150×60 cm)), substrate (Fine sand or rounded gravel; robust water plants; an egg-laying site for the females), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.