Yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta)

Short answers

Yellow-bellied slider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aqua-terrarium from 150 cm, water 40+ cm deep; a garden pond is better.

Yellow-bellied slider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 24–26 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Yellow-bellied slider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

Yellow-bellied slider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–40 years (many animals 20–30).

Yellow-bellied slider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 24–26 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

—

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from 150 cm, water 40+ cm deep; a garden pond is better

Substrate

Bare-bottomed or sand and gravel; a large dry land section

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: juveniles are carnivorous (fish, insects, worms), adults increasingly plant-eating (water plants)

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

females up to 27 cm, males 15–20 cm

Life expectancy

20–40 years (many animals 20–30)

Origin

The south-eastern USA

Protection status

On the EU list of invasive species (since 3 August 2016): trade, breeding and new acquisitions are prohibited – animals already held may be kept

Brumation

Brumation from December to February (5–8 °C)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option; they do not need company. Groups only work with plenty of space: one male to several females, or females only, and plan for a way to separate them. Two males harass each other and the females; under constant courtship a female visibly loses weight.

Notes

Invasive in the EU – do not breed, pass on or release it. A large dry basking spot plus a powerful filter are essential.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) – Intermediate
• D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) – 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 Yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from 150 cm, water 40+ cm deep; a garden pond is better), substrate (Bare-bottomed or sand and gravel; a large dry land section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.