Zoo World Welcomes 3 Baby Red Eared Sliders!
Zookeepers were in for a surprise last August 28, 2015 when they arrived at the zoo that morning.
Two of these adorable sliders were found exploring the world outside their shell while the other one was seen already swimming around the pool. With their tiny size, the zookeepers have decided to separate them from the adult sliders for them to be able to receive the necessary care for their growth and development.
Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are originally found in the Eastern United States. They get their names from the red stripe found around their ears while the "slider" part of their name comes from their ability to slide off quickly into the water.
Adults can grow up to 8-10 inches and can reach up to 30 years of age in the wild. They are habitat generalists which means they are able to adapt to different environments. They are also aquatic, only leaving the waters to bask. Juveniles are known to be carnivorous but will generally become omnivores as they reach maturity. They are one of the most common pet turtles worldwide.
