Your red-eared slider is one of the most commonly kept aquatic turtle. They are native to the United States and their natural habitat is sluggish rivers, shallow streams, swamps, ponds, and lakes with soft bottoms and dense vegetation.
Turtles, numbering more than 245 species, inhabit areas ranging from the hottest deserts to the coldest oceans. As proper care requires close attention to natural history, your pet’s needs should be investigated carefully before you buy it.
Like a reclusive child, an unhappy turtle will withdraw into its shell, physically and emotionally, and remain quietly unobtrusive for minutes or even hours. When he does finally emerge, it is often only to try to escape.
Caring for Your Red-Eared Slider
Caring for Your Turtle
How Turtles and Tortoises Behave