Despite the name, a yellow-bellied slider isn’t identified by its belly, but by the yellow, S-shaped stripe on the sides of its head. These turtles come from swamps and lakes in north-eastern Mexico and the southern United States, stay active year-round without hibernating, and are happiest between 20°C and 30°C. They grow to a maximum of about 30 cm.

A turtle with a yellowish S-shaped stripe on its face? It could be a yellow-bellied slider!

Introduction

The yellow-bellied slider comes from the same region as the yellow-eared slider: these turtle species live in swamps and lakes in north-eastern Mexico and in the south of the United States. These turtles are active in the daytime all year round. Hibernation? Not for the yellow-bellied slider. They are most comfortable at constant temperatures, somewhere between 20°C and 30°C.

Appearance

Despite their name, yellow-bellied sliders cannot be identified from their yellow bellies! Instead, they have a yellow, S-shaped stripe on the sides of their heads, which may extend to their necks. Yellow-bellied sliders do not grow to be more than 30 cm.