Red-eared slider

Red-eared turtle ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) is an animal belonging to the turtle ( Testudinata ), reptile ( Reptilia ) class, distributed naturally in inland North American waters. This is a small turtle (the length of a turtle shell is only about 20-25cm), in the back, the neck of this turtle is often reddish, with orange stripes on the shell.

Due to its beautiful morphology and high adaptability (very easy to raise), red-eared turtles are sold to feed as pets. In our country, red-eared turtles have been present for over 10 years and sold as pet pets, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, up to this point, there has been no official document of the authorities authorized to import and breed this turtle.

High adaptability, especially with warm climates, many lakes, swamps, rivers and streams like in our country, if the red-eared turtles escape into nature, they will quickly develop and form. populations in the direction of naturalization. They will then threaten native species. Not to mention some studies also show that this species may carry Salmonella, when contaminated with food will be toxic to humans.

Concerned about the potential for the invasive species of red-eared turtles to native species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed this species on the list of 206 globally invasive species and 100 invasive species. The world's most dangerous. So be careful with red ear turtles. Do not grow the product to avoid disasters like yellow snails.

Red ear turtle Trachemys scripta elegans (photo:)

Assoc. Prof. HOANG DUC DAT (Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Tropical Biology)