The Mississippi slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a freshwater turtle that is native to the southeastern United States. It gets its name from being commonly found near the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The Mississippi slider is a popular pet turtle due to its small size, hardiness, and bright yellow markings on its head, legs, and shell.
What do Mississippi sliders look like?
Mississippi sliders are one of the smaller turtle species, growing to around 4-10 inches in length as adults. They have a smooth, oval-shaped upper shell called a carapace that varies in color from olive to brownish green with a slightly flatter top than other turtle species. The carapace has concentric growth rings and may feature some black spotting. The lower shell, called the plastron, is typically a bright yellow with some darker blotches or smudging.
The turtle’s skin is olive-colored with yellow and black streaks on the neck, legs, and head. These bold yellow markings are most vibrant on younger turtles and fade to a more olive-green as the turtle ages. Mississippi sliders have webbed feet with sharp claws used for digging and tearing food. Their heads are relatively small and smooth, with yellow strips behind each eye.
Where do Mississippi sliders live?
Mississippi sliders are native to the southeastern United States, particularly in areas along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River basin. Their range stretches west to Texas and Oklahoma and east along the coast to Florida and north up to Kentucky and Virginia. They prefer slow-moving bodies of fresh water with plenty of rocks and logs to bask on, especially quiet coves, marshes, ponds, lakes, and swamps.
What do Mississippi sliders eat?
Mississippi sliders are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet consists of:
- Aquatic plants
- Algae
- Insects
- Spiders
- Worms
- Small fish
- Tadpoles
- Carrion
Younger sliders tend to be more carnivorous, while adults eat more vegetation. They use their jaws to grip food and tear it into bite-size pieces. Sliders also sometimes scavenge dead organisms that sink to the bottom of the water.
Mississippi slider behavior
Mississippi sliders spend the majority of their time in the water but will also bask for hours on logs, rocks, or the shore. Basking helps regulate their body temperature and prevent algae from growing on their shells. They are most active during the day and sleep at night. Sliders tend to be solitary outside of mating. When threatened, they will quickly slide off rocks or logs into the water.
Brumation
Like many reptiles, Mississippi sliders enter a dormant state called brumation during the winter months. Their metabolism slows down and they become inactive, barely eating at all until warmer weather returns. Turtles begin brumation once the water temperature drops below 50°F and will often bury in mud at the bottom of their water habitat.
Defense
Mississippi sliders rely on camouflage from their shells to avoid predators and quickly sliding into water when threatened. If caught, they can deliver a strong bite from their jaw but rarely do so. Some of their predators include alligators, fish, birds, raccoons, and snapping turtles.
Mississippi slider reproduction
Mississippi sliders reach sexual maturity between 4-6 years old. Breeding season takes place from March to July. As part of the mating ritual, the male slider will swim around the female and vibrate or flutter its claws in her face. If receptive, the female will sink to the bottom of the water, where the male then mounts her shell to copulate.
Between 2-20 eggs are laid 1-3 times per season. The female digs a nest on land, somewhere with good sun exposure like sandy banks. After burying the eggs, the young hatch 2-3 months later in August or September. Sliders do not provide any care for their offspring – the hatchlings instinctively head to the water once born.
How long do Mississippi sliders live?
In the wild, Mississippi sliders live approximately 20-40 years. With proper care in captivity, they may reach 40 years old. Their life expectancy depends on conditions like environment, diet, and exposure to predators.
Keeping Mississippi Sliders as Pets
The attractive appearance and small size of Mississippi sliders has made them popular pets. However, they do require extensive, specialized care to keep them healthy. Consider the following if interested in a pet Mississippi slider:
Habitat
Mississippi sliders need an aquarium or pond of at least 10 gallons per inch of shell length. Proper filtration and heating are vital – water should be kept between 75-85°F. Provide an above-tank basking area with heat and UVB lighting. The habitat should include rocks, logs, and plants for hiding and climbing.
Diet
Feed your turtle a varied diet of commercial pelleted food, plants, vegetables, fruits, live feeder fish/insects. Cuttlebone helps provide calcium. Feed babies and juveniles daily but adults only need to eat a few times per week.
Handling
Although small, Mississippi sliders can bite if threatened so handling should be kept to a minimum. Always pick up the turtle with two hands supporting the underside of its shell.
With good care, Mississippi sliders can make hardy, long-lived pets. But they do require extensive space and an owner committed to maintaining the proper habitat. Prospective owners should research how to properly care for a turtle before obtaining one.
Conservation Status
Mississippi sliders are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. They remain widespread and common throughout their native range. However, habitat pollution and some collection for the pet trade have caused localized declines in certain areas. It is important to conserve wetland habitats in the southeastern U.S. to protect the ongoing survival of these turtles.
Conclusion
In summary, Mississippi sliders are a small freshwater turtle species marked by their oval shell and bright yellow markings. Native to the southeastern United States, they live in slow-moving bodies of water and have an omnivorous diet of plants and small animals. Mississippi sliders are a popular pet species but require a large habitat and special lighting to stay healthy. While still relatively common, they face some threats from habitat loss and pollution across their range.