The Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands to include Mainland Japan. It was introduced in the 1950s by the pet trade market and is still sold in pet shops here in Okinawa.

• Scientific name: Trachemys scripta elegans
• Common name:  Red-eared slider turtle
• Distribution: Introduced to most of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
• Habitat: Ponds, drainage ditches, rice paddies and farm fields.
• Diet: Insects, fish, frogs, snails, and plants
• Average size: 20-28cm
• Color: Brown and yellow with a bright red temporal blotch

Before you purchase one of these turtles make sure you are committed to taking care of it for a very long time. They can live for over thirty years. A big problem is people frequently abandon these aquatic turtles in local ponds and rivers.  The introduced turtles compete with all native animals.  Eventually, causing a negative impact on the environment.

I often find the Red-eared slider sunbaking on logs and rocks

The Red-eared slider Okinawa © Shawn Miller

We found this Red-eared slider painted silver at the Comprehensive park. Cruel, not cool!

Silver painted turtle- Comprehensive Park © Shawn Miller

These turtles are considered the most abandoned pet in the world. The local zoos often end up taking care of these abandoned reptiles.

Abandoned turtles- Okinawa city zoo

I found this cute hatchling crossing the road in Yomitan.

Turtle hatchling © Shawn Miller

An Albino turtle I photographed at a local Pet shop in Okinawa.

Albino Red-eared slide © Shawn Miller

Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Biodiversity Project. All images are used for educational purposes

MYN technique © Shawn Miller

A large Red-eared slider catching some rays at the Ginowan convention center pond. A balancing act!

A balancing act © Shawn Miller

Check out that balance- Turtle Yoga with a smile!

Turtle Yoga pose, Comprehensive park © Shawn Miller

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature