Outdoor Illinois Journal
Wait, red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are invasive ? Aren't they native to Illinois ? The answer to both questions is yes. Some might call the red-eared slider the "house sparrow of the reptile world"—both are prolific breeders, habitat generalists and readily out-compete other native species. Red-eared slider hatchlings were once sold in large numbers and given away as ...
The Invasive Red-eared Slider November 3, 2025 by Laura Kammin, Scott Ballard Aquatic Organisms
Outdoor Illinois Journal
Some might call the red-eared slider the "house sparrow of the reptile world." While these turtles are native to Illinois , their ability to survive in low quality habitat coupled with their high reproductive capacity make them invasive species here as well.
Red-eared sliders (RES; Trachemys scripta elegans) are a globally invasive species that can impact native chelonian populations through resource competition and disease introduction. In Cook County, Illinois , invasive RES co-occur with, and greatly outnumber, a species of conservation priority in the Great Lakes region: the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). This study sampled free ...
PDF Health assessment of non
Abstract Red-eared sliders (RES; Trachemys scripta elegans) are a globally invasive spe-cies that can impact native chelonian populations through resource competition and disease introduction. In Cook County, Illinois , invasive RES co-occur with, and greatly outnumber, a species of conservation priority in the Great Lakes region: the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). This study ...
Invasive red-eared sliders in Illinois carry numerous pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi - without showing illness, acting as potential disease spreaders to native turtles like the Blanding's turtle.
Overview of Outdoor Illinois Journal The Invasive Red Eared Slider
Distribution / Maps / Survey Status Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database: Point Map - Red-Eared Slider DOI. USGS. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Red-eared Sliders are aggressive omnivores, feeding on fish, plants, insects, amphibians, and other aquatic organisms and their eggs. This puts them in direct competition with many native species of turtles for food, basking areas, and nesting sites.
Key Details About Outdoor Illinois Journal The Invasive Red Eared Slider
The red-eared slider or red-eared terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), 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. [2] It is the most commonly traded chelonian in the world. [3][4] The red-eared ...
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I'll walk you through exactly why the red eared slider illegal in illinois status exists, what the law says in plain English, and most importantly, what your responsible options are. We'll cover everything from the ecological reasons behind the ban to fantastic, legal turtle alternatives that will thrive in your care.