Prohibit the sale of Red eared sliders in Michigan
Red eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are the most common household pet in the United States. We propose that these reptiles become classified as a controlled species in Michigan.
Many have grown up with these turtles during their childhood, letting them go once they got too big, or as the children got older, they got bored. Often they are sold under the pretenses that they can be kept in a simple plastic container, and will not grow to be more than a few inches. This is not in anyway the case. Trachemys scripta elegans can grow to be the size of a dinner plate. The minimum required size of tank to be “cozy” is 125 gallons for this turtle. They need extensive care, and often procure an awful smell. Trachemys scripta elegans can live up to 70 years. The estimated maximum time spent with one owner is 18 years. Many, if not all red eared sliders are released into the wild due to people wishing to no longer own them.
When this species is released into the wild, it wreaks havoc upon native wildlife. In Florida, it has been known to breed with the native Yellow Belly Slider. Trachemys scripta elegans is an aggressive species. It competes with native turtles for food, territory, and breeding ground. One female can lay 3,000-6,000 eggs in her lifetime. Also, Red eared sliders carry diseases that native species are not immune to. This causes them to become ill, and in some cases die.
Trachemys scripta elegans is also a health issue. 70,000 people contract salmonella and 20 die every year from this reptile alone. In 1973, a law was passed that no Red eared slider under 4 inches could be sold. This was in order to try to help with the salmonella occurrences. As you can see though, it is still an issue.
This species has already been banned in both Florida and Montana. Our proposal, instead of a complete ban, is to classify this animal as a “controlled” species. This means the purchase, sale, and trade of Trachemys scripta elegans is prohibited. However, those who already own a slider, will be able to keep them. The difference between controlled and banned lies in the previous statement. If you own a species that was recently passed as banned, it is illegal to own it no matter when you bought it. Our goal by doing this is not only to protect children and people from salmonella, but to also protect the environment and native turtles.
For owners who in the future wish to no longer have their turtle, we will have in place a program in which we release the pets into their natural region.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope you will join us in signing this petition.
Sarah B. and Olivia N.
No signatures yet. Be the first one!
Comment