Red-eared sliders live around the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico, in areas of warm water such as ponds and lakes, swamps and marshes, and slow-moving creeks and rivers. They are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend their time in or near water. Their main food source is aquatic plants. They are often seen basking in the sun on rocks or logs in large numbers, often even piling on top of each other to warm up.
From Fall to Spring, red-eared sliders go through a period of low activity similar to hibernation called “brumation”, where they may not eat and will remain motionless for long periods, only occasionally becoming active to breathe air or infrequently eat. They do this to conserve energy during colder months, since they are cold-blooded.
