Yellow Bellied Slider

The yellow-bellied slider is an attractive, hardy and fascinating turtle. They are called sliders because they slide from their basking sites, where they enjoy the sun, to the coolness and safety of the water. These turtles are easy to keep and almost always thrive in captivity.

A relative of the red-eared slider, yellow-bellies have been available in the pet industry for more than 60 years. During the 1990s, however, this turtle became much more readily available. Most yellow-bellies are purchased as hatchlings. They will be perfectly round and slightly larger in diameter than a silver dollar.

Keep in mind that if properly fed and cared for, the baby turtle you are purchasing could grow to a length of 4 or 5 inches in the first year, 5 to 7 inches the second year and larger yet in its third year of life. Preplan your purchase and housing facilities accordingly.

Yellow-bellied sliders are native to the southeastern United States.