Which turtle is commonly sold as a pet and has become invasive worldwide?

The red-eared slider is the turtle commonly sold as a pet that has become invasive worldwide. It is the red-eared subspecies of the pond slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, recognized by the red stripe behind each eye.

Native to the central and southern United States and northern Mexico, red-eared sliders became globally distributed through the pet trade. Young turtles are inexpensive, small, and appealing, but owners may later release them when the animals become larger and more demanding to house. Escaped or released turtles can establish populations in suitable ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waterways.

Outside their native range, they may outcompete local turtles for food, basking sites, and nesting areas. Their relatively early maturity, larger body size, and high reproductive potential can give them an advantage over native species. They can also carry pathogens, including Salmonella, creating a separate public-health concern for careless handling.

The answer is not “painted turtle,” even though painted turtles are also familiar North American pets. The red-eared slider’s distinctive facial marking and exceptional history in international pet trade are what identify this invasive species.