Both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider are members of the same species. It’s easy to tell that both turtles are closely related as they resemble each other and share similar features. Which turtle is better? Yellow-bellied slider vs red-eared slider. That is down to preference.
The red-eared slider is a lot more popular and is more commonly kept as a pet. This turtle is considered to be one of the most invasive animals in the world even listed on the “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species” – a list compiled by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The yellow-bellied slider is also kept as a pet although not as commonly as the red-eared slider.
Yellow-Bellied Slider Vs Red-Eared Slider
Physical Appearance and Range
Both species have brown to olive-green carapaces (upper shells). These carapaces are rough. While both species have yellow plastrons, the yellow-bellied slider’s plastron has dark spots around the edges of the plastron while the red-eared slider has paired markings in the center of the scutes.
The easiest way to distinguish the red-eared slider from the yellow-bellied slider is to identify the markings on the head. If the turtle has red markings on both sides of the head around where the ear is, then the individual is a red-eared slider.
The patterns on the plastron can also be used to identify the individual.
Both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider inhabit water bodies with the following characteristics – slow-moving water with abundant aquatic vegetation, soft substrate, and easy access to basking locations.
These include both brackish and freshwater habitats. Some habitats include streams, lagoons, swamps, rivers, lakes, and ponds. The depth of water bodies they inhabit is 0.6 m to 0.9 m. The species prefer shallow waters.
Sliders have been found in seasonal farm ponds and even in semi-evergreen forests with close water sources.
Yellow-Bellied Slider’s Physical Appearance and Range
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta scripta
- Adult Size: 5 to 13 inches (13 to 33 cm)
- Average Adult Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
- Lifespan: 30 to 40 years
- Conservation Status: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, T5: Secure (NatureServe Status)
The yellow-bellied slider is endemic to the eastern portion of the pond slider’s geographic range. The species is endemic to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and northwestern Florida. Within North Carolina and Alabama, the species hold a NatureServe status of S5. Overall, the subspecies hold a Global Status of T5.
The yellow-bellied slider is a relatively large freshwater turtle with an adult length of 5 to 13 inches. Adult females are noticeably larger than adult males. Adult females reach a length of 8 to 13 inches (20 to 33 cm). Adult males reach a length of 5 to 9 inches (13 to 23 cm).
The upper shell of the yellow-bellied slider is usually black and brown. The carapace is rough. There are indentations all over the carapace.
The underside (plastron) is yellow – to be precise pale yellow. This coloration gives the turtle its common name. The plastron usually has dark green spots along the edge. The plastron is smooth. The skin is olive green/ dark brown with yellow markings on the limbs and neck.
The yellow-bellied slider is often confused with the eastern river cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna). Both turtles have yellow markings on the limbs and neck. The eastern river cooter lacks dark spots along the edge of its plastron.
This is unlike the yellow-bellied slider which has dark spots along the edge of its plastron. Similarly, unlike the red-eared slider, the yellow-bellied slider lacks red stripes on the ears.
Because the yellow-bellied slider is closely related to the red-eared slider, they can interbreed. In fact, wild yellow-bellied sliders have been known to breed with non-native red-eared sliders that have been released into the yellow-bellied slider’s habitats.
To protect the local population of yellow-bellied sliders, the state of Florida has banned the sale of red-eared sliders.
Red-Eared Slider’s Physical Appearance and Range
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans
- Average Adult Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
- Lifespan: 30 to 40 years
- Conservation Status: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, T5: Secure (NatureServe Status)
Red-eared sliders can easily be identified by the red marking over the ears. These markings give the turtle its common name. The carapace is olive green with dark and light markings. The carapace’s color changes with age. Hatchlings have lead green carapaces which turn darker as they age until the carapace is dark green. As adults, the carapace is brown to olive green.
The plastron of the red-eared slider is of a similar coloration as that of the yellow-bellied slider. The plastron is pale yellow with paired markings on the scutes. The markings are mirrors on either side of the plastron.
The skin of the red-eared slider is of similar coloration to that of the yellow-bellied slider. The skin is olive green/ dark brown with yellow markings on the limbs and neck.
The red-eared slider is endemic to the midwest to southeastern United States from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. The geographic range extends from Colorado to Florida and Virginia. Within Florida, the species can be found in the extreme northwest although it isn’t endemic to the state.
Because the species is known to hybridize with the yellow-bellied slider, the sale of the red-eared slider isn’t allowed in Florida.
Care Requirement
The care requirement of both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider is identical. Both species can cohabitate.
Habitat/Tank
As aquatic turtles, you need to provide an aquatic environment. The simplest way to do this is to house the turtle in an aquarium. For each inch of the turtle’s carapace, have 10 gallons of water in the turtle’s tank.
For instance, a 5-inch slider should be housed in a 50-gallon tank. Add half of that for any additional turtle. For instance, if the additional turtle is 5 inches long, then add 25 gallons of water. House two 5-inch sliders in a minimum of 75 gallons of water.
A slider can reach a length of 10 inches. For sure individuals, you have to invest in a 100 gallon tank.
Since glass aquariums can be expensive, you can house the turtle in a large rubber container. A great rubber container to house a turtle in is the Rubbermaid Commercial Structural Foam Stock Tank.
You can also house the turtle in kiddie pools and inflatable pools.
Basking Platform
Sliders spend a lot of time basking. Basking involves drying off. When not in the water, the turtle is out of water basking. In the wild, sliders bask on logs, overhanging branches, rocks, and even on the beach of the water body they inhabit. They are known as sliders because of how quickly they slide back into the water when approached.
If you plan to keep the xx in captivity, you need to install a basking platform. This allows the xx to comfortably bask each day.
The basking platform installed should be easily accessible and should be large enough to hold all the turtles within the enclosure.
An excellent basking platform to install is the Penn Plax Reptology Floating Turtle Pier.
Substrate
Substate isn’t needed. In fact, substrate makes the enclosure more difficult to maintain and keep clean. Organic material and food particles can become trapped in the substrate. Cleaning the substrate can be a challenge.
The only reason to have substrate within the enclosure is for aesthetic purposes. Having an aesthetically pleasing enclosure is one of the joys of an aquarium.
If you must have substrates, I recommend aquarium pebbles such as the Royal Imports Decorative River Pebbles.
Lighting and Heating
Having adequate lighting and heating is essential to the survival of the turtle. A lack of adequate lighting can be fatal. The temperatures also need to be in the right range. If the temperatures are too low, the turtle may refuse to eat. If the temperature is too high, the turtle may refuse to bask which is detrimental to its health.
Install a heat lamp over the basking platform. Additionally, install an aquarium heater. This should keep the water temperature within an acceptable range. The heat lamp over the basking platform allows the turtle to warm up when out of water.
The light lamps installed over the enclosure should provide the turtle with the needed UV radiation. Reptiles require UVA and UVB radiation to be healthy. I recommend a UV light designed specifically for reptiles such as the Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 Mini and the Zoo Med Reptisun T5 HO.
Both the heat lamp and the UV lamp require regular changing. The bulbs/lamps lose intensity with time. Replace UV lamps/bulbs every six months. Replace heat lamps once they are unable to provide the required heat.
The acceptable temperature range within the basking area is 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. I recommend requiring a reptile thermometer to keep track of the temperatures within the enclosure.
As mentioned earlier, the water temperature also needs to be within the acceptable temperature range. For sliders, this range is 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain the temperature range with an aquarium heater such as the Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater.
Water Filtration
To keep the water in the aquarium or turtle tank clean, it needs to be filtered continuously. When choosing an aquarium filter, choose one marked for twice the water content within your turtle’s tank. Turtles are a lot messier than fish and the capacity of the filter indicated on it is for fish aquariums.
There are different types of aquarium filters on the market but I recommend the canister filter. These are generally a lot more effective at keeping the water clean. The Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter is an excellent filter for a slider’s tank.
Despite installing an aquarium filter, you still need to change the water within the enclosure regularly. Replace about a third of the water within the enclosure weekly and change the water once a month.
Diet
In the wild, both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider consist of the same foods. These include grasshoppers, insect larvae, tadpoles, other small amphibians, small reptiles, crayfish, fish, freshwater sponges, clams, slugs, snails, and spiders.
They also feed on carrion. Plant matter they eat includes seeds, flowers, leaves, stems, and algae. They feed extensively on aquatic vegetation.
While adults are omnivorous, juveniles are mostly carnivorous. Take this into account when feeding your slider.
Foods to feed your slider should include a mix of plant material and animal materials although juveniles need more animal material than plants.
The main staple should be commercial diets such as Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Dry Food, Hatchling Formula, MazurI Aquatic Turtle Food, Fluker’s Aquatic Turtle Diet (2 Pack / 8-Ounce), and Fluker’s Buffet Blend Aquatic Turtle Food.
Offer fish such as killifish, crappies, & mosquitofish, snails, tadpoles, slugs, shrimps, earthworms, grubs, crickets, bloodworms, sowbugs, and mealworms.
Offer aquatic plants such as duckweed, water lilies, pondweed, spike rush, water hyacinth, arrowhead, and anacharis. You can also offer dark leafy greens such as red leaf lettuce, romaine, collard greens, dandelion, and mustard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a red-eared slider and a yellow-bellied slider?
The two sliders are very similar to one another. In fact, both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider are members of the same species.
The scientific name of the yellow-bellied slider is — while the scientific name of the red-eared slider is –. The yellow-bellied slider is endemic to the eastern portion of the pond slider’s geographic range while the red-eared slider is endemic to the western portion of the range.
The red-eared slider has a red stripe around its ear areas. The yellow-bellied slider on the other hand has noticeable yellow patches on its cheeks. The red-eared slider lacks these patches.
Can red-eared sliders and yellow-belly sliders live together?
The yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider can be housed within the same enclosure. When housed together, they may hybridize if it’s a mix of male(s) and female(s). While the two turtles can be housed within the same enclosure, they can still be aggressive toward one another. Males in particular are territorial and aggressive towards other males.
Aggressive behavior may be due to inadequate space. Ensure that the enclosure is large enough to house the turtles. Also, provide enough hiding spots.
It is best to house aggressive turtles in separate tanks as they can injure the others. Even if they do not injure the other turtles, they can stress them out. Stress can be very harmful to turtles as they may refuse to feed.
Can red-eared sliders and yellow-bellied sliders have babies?
If a red-eared slider and a yellow-bellied slider mate, they can produce offspring/babies. For this reason, red-eared sliders are banned in certain states and localities in order to protect the wild population of yellow-bellied sliders. One such state is Florida.
Are yellow-bellied sliders friendly?
Turtles aren’t particularly sociable. They mostly prefer to be left alone unless you mean to feed them. yellow-bellied sliders are no different. They may tolerate their owners because the owners feed them. They also prefer not to be handled.
Compared to other freshwater turtles, the yellow-bellied turtle can be said to be friendly.
How can you tell if a slider turtle is red-eared?
Red-eared sliders have red patches around their ear area. This is the quickest and easiest way to tell the red-eared slider from the other sliders.
Are yellow-bellied sliders rare?
While not as widespread as the red-eared slider, the yellow-bellied slider is considered common within its geographic range. Because they are common, they hold a Global Status of T5 which means their population is secure.
When it comes to availability in the pet trade, yellow-bellied sliders are common although not as common as red-eared sliders.
Conclusion
Both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider are of the same species – Trachemys scripta. Both are pond slider turtles. Both reach an adult length of 6 to 8 inches on average. With both, adult females are considerably larger than males. Both also have similar care requirements. Both also resemble each other closely.
The yellow-bellied slider is less widespread and localized to its geographic range while the red-eared slider can be found across the United States and even the world. The red-eared slider is an invasive species and as such has been banned in many places around the world.
It is banned throughout Europe, most of Australia, New Zealand, and in several states in the United States such as Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, Alaska, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Oregon.
So how do you tell them apart? Red-eared sliders have red patches around their ear area. This is the quickest and easiest way to tell the red-eared slider from the other sliders.
More red eared slider stuff
- How to set up a red eared slider turtle tank
- Red eared slider care guide
- How fast do red eared sliders grow
- Red eared slider turtle facts
- Are red eared sliders invasive?