Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am rather new to turtles, and my son asked me if I thought a painted turtle could breed with a red eared slider. So, I have no idea, do any of you have any thoughts on this? Are they compatible at all? Or are they too removed species wise?

Thanks,
John

Though I don't know of any known successful breedings between red-ears and painteds, I've seen a few red-eared slider X Map turtles, and map turtles seem to be a bit further removed from red-ears than painted turtles. I think it can be done.

theyd probably be sterile

I don't know why you would want to, since RES are over bread as it is. I am sure they might have mixed in the wild themselves though. If there are RES's and Painted’s in the same pond or area, it's possible. I just don't know why you would want to do it on purpose.

Hi everybody,
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it! Especially because now I have an answer for my son who brought up the subject in the first place. Do we plan on intentionally breeding these guys, no. But the RES is a male and the painted is a female, and they are housed in the same tank, so it got my son wondering "Are they are going to have babies?"
Each of these guys are about 4in. across the shell lengthwise. How soon do you think I have before something like this might happen? When do RES and western painted turtles become sexually mature? At what age are they fully grown? Thanks again for any thoughts you have!

Take Care,
John