Size:  From 5 to 12 inches (12.5-20.3 cm) long.
Description:  Eastern populations have a yellow spot behind their eye that is the easiest and most universally recognizable characteristic to observe in the field; juvenile turtles have particularly noticable yellow markings.  Vertical yellow bands streak the carpace, while the underbelly is primarily yellow.  Older turtles tend to lose these patterns described and become dark and difficult to identify.  Sliders are also distinguishable from other turtles by their rounded lower jaw, all other groups of turtles have flat jaws. In addition, Slider shells are oftern more highly domed than Cooters.
Habitat:  Not very particular, but prefers rivers, ditches, lakes, and ponds.
Range:  This turtle is probably the most common turtle in in the Southeast and can be found from Southeastern Virginia to Northern Florida.  In North Carolina, they range through the eastern portion of the state.

 

"Red-Eared" form, introduced in many areas	Range of the Slider in the Carolinas and Virginia	old, melanistic, slider