[5] It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds.

[12] There have also been studies that show females of this species have more symmetrical shells than males due to either more efficient growth or less hormonal stress.

[13] Yellow-belly sliders range from southeastern Virginia, through the Carolinas, Georgia, northern Florida, and eastern Alabama.

[11] Yellow-bellied slider movement is highly instigated by dry seasons, where they can be found traveling terrestrially to locate a new water source.

[21] The slider is considered a diurnal turtle; it feeds mainly in the morning and frequently basks on shore, on logs, or while floating, during the rest of the day.

Highest densities of sliders occur where algae blooms and aquatic macrophytes are abundant and are of the type that form dense mats at the surface, such as Myriophyllum spicatum and lily pads (Nymphaeaceae).

Dense surface vegetation provides cover from predators and supports high densities of aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates, which offer better foraging than open water.

Adult diets consist of leaves, stems, roots, fruits, larger invertebrates, small fish, tadpoles, and frogs.

Additionally, these turtles can develop fungal spores that can lead to shell rot, they can also develop metabolic bone disease which can stunt the growth of their shells and cause them to be more brittle and prone to damage [24] The lifespan of yellow-bellied sliders is over 30 years in the wild,[25] and over 40 years in captivity.

[26] Baby yellow-bellied sliders may be kept in a fairly small tank (20 to 40 gallons), but as they age, after about three years, they will require much more space.

[11] Pond plants such as elodea (anacharisan) and cabomba can also be left in the water, while human-consumed vegetables such as romaine lettuce, escarole and collard greens must be changed daily.

Commercially processed animal-based reptile food may be given too, but any sort of leftovers should be immediately removed to prevent fouling the water or turtle's habitat.