Stats

Lifespan

20-30 yrs

Size

Medium

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

North America

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Armor

Status

Common

About

A medium-sized freshwater turtle named for the vivid red stripe behind each eye. Native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, it has become one of the most widely introduced reptiles in the world through the pet trade.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A coin-sized hatchling digs out of the nest and makes its own way to water or shelter.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile turtle's shell hardens and grows yearly rings as it forages on its own.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult shell size and markings.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Testudines

Family

Emydidae

Genus

Trachemys

Species

Trachemys scripta