These aquatic creatures can range from 5 to 12 inches in size and are encompassed by an oval carapace or hard shell. Young hatchlings have a green carapace and skin with markings and stripes dependent upon their species. With age the carapace and skin become less distinct because of the increase in black pigment.
In nature, sliders usually live in swampy areas where there is a lot of mud and vegetation, such as shallow ponds and lakesides In addition to swimming and digging in rocks and mud, sliders love the warmth of the sun, and can lazily lay there for hours, before returning to the water for a swim. Sliders are also omnivorous, although they tend to eat less meat as they grow older..