Red-eared slider
The red-eared slider or red-eared terrapin is a subspecies of the pond slider, a terrapin belonging to the family Emydidae. Native to the southern United States and extreme northern Mexico, it is popular as a pet across the world, and is the most invasive chelonian. It is the most commonly traded chelonian in the world.
| Life Span | 10-25 years |
What to Know Before Buying a Red-eared slider
Finding a responsible Red-eared slider breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells reptiles commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Red-eared slider. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Red-eared sliders appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Red-eared slider breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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