Painted Turtle Vs. Yellow-Eared Slider

Common sliders may have yellow, red or orange ear markings.

Painted turtles and yellow-eared sliders are both semiaquatic, cold-blooded reptiles native to North America. They spend much of their time basking in the sun to warm themselves before going about their business, but there are some clear ways to tell the difference between the two species.

Appearance

At first glance you may not be able to tell them apart, but painted turtles and yellow-eared sliders differ significantly in appearance. First is the shell, or carapace. Though both are oval and can range from olive to brown (slider) or black (painted), the slider's carapace is rougher and dome-shaped compared to the painted turtle's smooth, flat carapace. The painted turtle's carapace also has prominent seams outlined in red or yellow, and the red, black and yellow markings along the bridge that give the turtle its name. The bridge connects the top and bottom pieces of the carapace, and those of a painted turtle are clearly visible from the side. The slider's most significant coloration is the ear marks. Typically called common sliders, the color may be yellow, red or orange, and the name changed accordingly. This color variation often depends on subspecies and geographic location. Adult size is another strong differentiating factor. Although some grow to just under eight inches, adult sliders can reach nearly 24 inches in diameter. Painted turtles top out at about 10 inches. Males of both species are smaller than females.

Distribution in the Wild

The painted turtle is the most widely distributed turtle in North America, ranging from southern Canada to as far south as Mexico, and from coast to coast, having been introduced in California. In the wild, the common slider is less cold-tolerant than the painted turtle, ranging from southeastern Virginia into northern Florida, west as far as New Mexico, and on into Mexico and Central America.

Availability as Pets

Due to their popularity in pet shops, sliders are available worldwide, mostly in the red-eared variety (T. s. elegans). Availability of other colors than red may take some searching or research into their geographic distribution. Painted turtles, despite their wide range, are less available through pet stores, and many owners have simply collected their animals from the wild. If you choose this route, be aware that it may be illegal in your area to collect and keep wild animals, and that the turtle may carry parasites from its wild habitat. Turtles and other reptiles are well documented as carriers of salmonella, so use precautions such as washing your hands when handling a pet, regardless of its origins.

Habitat

Sliders aren't too particular about their habitat in the wild, and most living in tropical habitats stick to the rivers. However, they do show a preference for slow-moving water with mud or other soft bottom, plenty of vegetation and protected basking areas. Painted turtles prefer the same type of habitat as sliders, especially as they overwinter in the mud at the bottoms of ponds and creeks in colder climates. They are also known to live in brackish waters--a mix of fresh and salt water--along coastlines.

Diet

Both turtle species are omnivorous, meaning they consume both animals and plants. Juveniles may be more likely to focus on vegetation, while adults prefer to hunt their meals, eating fish, crustaceans, gastropods (snails and slugs), insects and even carrion.

References

• Turtles of the World; "Trachemys scripta (Common Slider)," by C.H. Ernst, R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour
• Turtles of the World, "Chrysemys picta (Painted turtle)," by C..H. Ernst, R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour