Jamaican Slider
Encyclopedia
The Jamaican slider also known as the Cat island slider is a species of fresh water turtle
in the Emydidae
family.
It is found in the Bahamas
and Jamaica
. As it is not currently found on any of the other surrounding islands in the region it is assumed that the Jamaican slider was introduced from one of these countries to the other. Even though the popular theory was that these turtles originated from Jamaica, current geological evidence may suggest that they were in the Bahamas long before the native Indians first went to the Bahama islands. There is also evidence from archeological sites on San Salvador that the native Indians ate these turtles and transplanted them around the West Indies.
The adults are a dark brown to olive colour with very faint markings. The juveniles are more clearlry marked and these markings apparently disappear within the first three years.
(which is why it is known as the Cat island slider in the Bahamas) and smaller populations can also be found on the islands of Eleuthera
, Andros Island, Exumas and New Providence
. However, the population on New Providence (and nearby Paradise Island) and Exuma is a hybrid between the red-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegans and the Inagua Slider T. stejnegeri malonei from Great Inagua.
these turtles have also been kept as pets typically in wells and are referred to affectionately on that island as "Peter".
Trachemys scripta elegans for the pet trade. They are very popular as pets in the Bahamas but once the animal has out grown its welcome they are released into nearby ponds. The island of New Providence, and nearby Paradise Island
, have very diluted stocks and this is possibly true for some of the other islands also. It is known however, that the red-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegans has not been released onto Cat Island to date.
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
in the Emydidae
Emydidae
Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, is a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtle were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtle,...
family.
It is found in the Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
and Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. As it is not currently found on any of the other surrounding islands in the region it is assumed that the Jamaican slider was introduced from one of these countries to the other. Even though the popular theory was that these turtles originated from Jamaica, current geological evidence may suggest that they were in the Bahamas long before the native Indians first went to the Bahama islands. There is also evidence from archeological sites on San Salvador that the native Indians ate these turtles and transplanted them around the West Indies.
Description
Jamaican sliders are freshwater turtles of moderate size. Males average at 200 millimetres (7.9 in) carapace length (CL) and females are larger at 270 millimetres (10.6 in) CL.The adults are a dark brown to olive colour with very faint markings. The juveniles are more clearlry marked and these markings apparently disappear within the first three years.
Diet
Typical omnivores, feeding on a variety of fruits particularly Pond-apple (Annona glabra) and other vegetation, small fish, snails, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, carrion and may even attack young birds if left defenseless. However, fecal samples have shown that aquatic algae form the bulk of their diet.Habitat
These are fresh water turtles, inhabiting most fresh to brackish wetlands throughout out their range. This includes swamps, streams and ponds, even ephemeral or temporary ponds.Distribution
The Jamaican slider is found in many different areas on the island of Jamaica and on a few islands in the Bahamas. In the Bahamas about 60% of its population can be found on Cat IslandCat Island
-North America:* Cat Island , Bahamas* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States...
(which is why it is known as the Cat island slider in the Bahamas) and smaller populations can also be found on the islands of Eleuthera
Eleuthera
Eleuthera is an island in The Bahamas, lying 50 miles east of Nassau. It is very long and thin—110 miles long and in places little more than a mile wide. According to the 2000 Census, the population of Eleuthera is approximately 8,000...
, Andros Island, Exumas and New Providence
New Providence
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It also houses the national capital city, Nassau.The island was originally under Spanish control following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, but the Spanish government showed...
. However, the population on New Providence (and nearby Paradise Island) and Exuma is a hybrid between the red-eared slider
Red-eared slider
The red-eared slider is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and also popular in the rest of the world...
Trachemys scripta elegans and the Inagua Slider T. stejnegeri malonei from Great Inagua.
Reproduction
Breeding season in Jamaican stocks can run from February to September. The Bahamian stocks may have a more limited or reduced breeding season due to the limited availability of freshwater. Clutch size has been observed from both countries to be 3-8 eggs and the turtles can lay 3-4 clutches per year. The last clutch is always smaller in size than the first.Uses
These turtles were consumed by the Amerindians that lived in these regions. It is known that they are also eaten in the Bahamas, though this practice is declining; and probably in Jamaica also. On islands such as Cat IslandCat Island
-North America:* Cat Island , Bahamas* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States* Cat Island , United States...
these turtles have also been kept as pets typically in wells and are referred to affectionately on that island as "Peter".
Status and Conservation
The Jamaican slider is listed as Vulnerable in the 2007 IUCN Red List but is not currently listed under CITES. The populations in both Jamaica and the Bahamas are largely effected by introduced predators to those islands. These include dogs, cats, raccoons, rats, pigs and mongooses. In the Bahamas, habitat loss is an ever increasing threat to the Jamaican Slider and this includes Cat Island. On many islands in the Bahamas fresh water is relatively scarce and therefore the contamination of fresh water ponds with salt water particularly after hurricanes, has a devastating effect. However in the Bahamas, the biggest cause for concern is the continued importation of the red-eared sliderRed-eared slider
The red-eared slider is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and also popular in the rest of the world...
Trachemys scripta elegans for the pet trade. They are very popular as pets in the Bahamas but once the animal has out grown its welcome they are released into nearby ponds. The island of New Providence, and nearby Paradise Island
Paradise Island
Paradise Island is an island in the Bahamas formerly known as Hog Island. The island is located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, which is itself located on the northern edge of the island of New Providence. It is best known for the sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea resort' Atlantis.Paradise...
, have very diluted stocks and this is possibly true for some of the other islands also. It is known however, that the red-eared slider
Red-eared slider
The red-eared slider is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and also popular in the rest of the world...
Trachemys scripta elegans has not been released onto Cat Island to date.
Source
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Trachemys terrapen. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
- Bahamas National Trust
- Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center