This is an Exotic species, regrettably introduced in Brazilian ecosystems. The free (and illegal) marketing of the Trachemys scripta elegans species - originating in the United States and kept as a pet in Brazil -, has caused and still causes many issues to wild species, especially for the Brazilian Slider, as they are very similar to each other.

The American red-eared slider may and does compete with native species, it invades their natural environments, causing ecological imbalances such as the hybridization of species of the same genus and even impact on populations of amphibians (tadpoles are among their food). Owners disinterested in the animals often release them in areas that did not originally have this species.

UFRA: Species spotted in Wetlands with Riparian Forests.