Skip to main content

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

Photo by EmilyMarino
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

39.8939, -105.111

Field Notes

Description:

Small/medium gray turtle. Yellow stripping on neck and face with light red stripe behind the eye.

Habitat:

Small pond with fish.

Notes:

I was photographing Great Blue Herons at the edge of a small pond. The lighting was bad and I was about to leave when I spotted this little guy about 3 feet away from me. Naturally, my first thought was to...catch him! I inched closer and closer and closer. When I was about a foot from him, I lunged for him. My fingers grazed his muddy shell as he slipped into the water. I almost went in myself! I missed him! He quickly popped his head up from under the water as if to laugh at my failed attempt!

Species ID Suggestions

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

Reference Link
AshleyT
1

Comments (4)
EmilyMarino
Good point - dang invasive species! I'll have to research painted turtles. I think they are pretty common out here, but I'm not sure. Here is my spotting from last year (hopefully they really are painted turtles and I didn't get the ID wrong!): http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/9864370
AshleyT
Who knows! It very well could be a pet, but sliders are also wild pretty much everywhere because they were once released pets and breed now in the wild. And lucky you! I've never seen a painted turtle
EmilyMarino
Thanks Ashley! I should have guessed it was a slider! Duh! I guess I thought of them more as pets and no as something I'd see in the wild. Would you assume this was a released pet? I've seen painted turtles before. They are pretty! I didn't realize they were indigenous, so that's good!
AshleyT
Loved your story haha! Quite impressive you even got that close, I never make it closer than like 10 feet haha. Sliders are introduced in Colorado :/ Go find a painted turtle next! They are much prettier, and they are native :)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Reptiles of the World
Photographed
PublishedMay 6, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies