Report sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions
See it? Report it. Use the online form for any sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions.
Why is it important to report red-eared slider turtles?
The red-eared slider turtle is one of the world’s worst invasive species. This turtle is an environmental pest as they:
- can breed and take over areas quickly
- can compete with native turtles for food and habitat
- are very adaptable and can live in anything from brackish water to man-made canals, and ponds
- can spread diseases like salmonella that can destroy many native species and infect humans
- are opportunistic feeder, eating a wide variety of food sources including aquatic invertebrates, fish, frog eggs and tadpoles, aquatic snakes, and a wide variety of aquatic plants and algae.
In Australia red-eared slider turtles have been illegally smuggled in, kept and released and have established wild populations in urban and semi-urban areas. They are often obtained as pets when they are very small and look attractive. However, the animals grow rapidly into large adults and can bite their owners, resulting in them being dumped or released from captivity.
Description
The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) originates from the midwestern states of the USA and northeastern Mexico. However, populations of wild-living red-eared slider turtles now occur worldwide due to the species being extensively traded as both a pet and a food item.
An adult red-eared slider turtle:
- has a 12.5 to 28 cm shell which is dark green with yellow markings on top
- shell underside has 12 ‘scales’ arranged in pairs and is yellow with dark patches
- has a distinctive, broad red or orange stripe behind each eye which might fade as it ages
- narrow yellow stripes on the head and legs.
- retract their head straight back into its shell
- male has long claws on its front feet
- can live up to 30 years of age.
An adult red-eared slider turtle:
shell underside has 12 ‘scales’ arranged in pairs and is yellow with dark patches
An adult red-eared slider turtle:
has a distinctive, broad red or orange stripe behind each eye which might fade as it ages
An adult red-eared slider turtle:
male has long claws on its front feet.
An adult red-eared slider turtle:
has a 12.5 to 28 cm shell which is dark green with yellow markings on top
Photos: Brendan O'Rourke NSW DPIRD
Breeding
The red-eared slider turtle:
- female lays 2 - 23 eggs in a cavity dug out of the soil, up to five times per year
- hatchlings emerging 60 - 75 days after being laid
- in the wild red-eared slider turtles can live for about 30 years but in captivity they are able to live for up to 75 years.
Control techniques
Control programs for red-eared slider turtles should only be undertaken by trained practitioners as part of an approved pest animal incursion program. Red-eared slider turtles are classed as prohibited dealings throughout NSW and, if found in the open environment should not be dealt with except as part of a response program organised by the NSW DPI or in accordance with the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement. Further information on this issue can be obtained from the following link: Prohibited Dealing (Pest Animal Management) Exemption Order 2017
The most suitable survey options for detecting the presence of red-eared slider turtles include visual observations, intensive trapping using cathedral traps, and motion sensor triggered cameras. Adjacent waterbodies should also be surveyed if they are a likely pathway or refuge for the turtles.
Recommended eradication and containment options include capture by hand or handheld nets and trapping using cathedral traps, or if conditions allow basking traps and landing nets. Shooting may also be an option if the sliders are present in high volumes.
Red-eared slider turtle resources
