<P> The red - eared slider ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) , also known as the red - eared terrapin , is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae . It is a subspecies of the pond slider . It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and is also popular as a pet in the rest of the world . It has , therefore , become the most commonly traded turtle in the world . It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico , but has become established in other places because of pet releases , and has become an invasive species in many areas , where it outcompetes native species . The red - eared slider is included in the list of the world 's 100 most invasive species published by the IUCN . </P>
<P> The red - eared slider ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) , also known as the red - eared terrapin , is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae . It is a subspecies of the pond slider . It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and is also popular as a pet in the rest of the world . It has , therefore , become the most commonly traded turtle in the world . It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico , but has become established in other places because of pet releases , and has become an invasive species in many areas , where it outcompetes native species . The red - eared slider is included in the list of the world 's 100 most invasive species published by the IUCN . </P>
where are red eared slider turtles native to
where are red eared slider turtles native to
the southern United States and northern Mexico
the southern United States and northern Mexico