Trachemys scripta
Encyclopedia
Trachemys scripta, better known as the pond slider, is a common, medium-sized semi-aquatic turtle
. There are three subspecies of sliders. The most recognizable subspecies is the red-eared slider
(T. s. elegans), which is popular in the pet trade. This subspecies has been introduced to other parts of the world by people releasing it to the wild. Slider hatchlings have a green shell (carapace
) and skin with yellow green and dark green striped markings. Markings and colors fade in adults to a muted olive green color. Some individuals become almost black with few visible markings. The carapace is oval and flattened. The underside of the shell is yellow with dark markings in the center of each scute.
subspecies has been introduced worldwide.
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...
. There are three subspecies of sliders. The most recognizable subspecies is 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...
(T. s. elegans), which is popular in the pet trade. This subspecies has been introduced to other parts of the world by people releasing it to the wild. Slider hatchlings have a green shell (carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
) and skin with yellow green and dark green striped markings. Markings and colors fade in adults to a muted olive green color. Some individuals become almost black with few visible markings. The carapace is oval and flattened. The underside of the shell is yellow with dark markings in the center of each scute.
Distribution
The pond sliders are native to the US and Mexico. 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...
subspecies has been introduced worldwide.
Subspecies
- Trachemys scripta scripta – Yellow-bellied sliderYellow-bellied sliderThe yellow-bellied slider is a land and water turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. This subspecies of pond slider is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia, and is the most common turtle species in its range...
- Trachemys scripta elegans – Red-eared sliderRed-eared sliderThe 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 troostii – Cumberland sliderCumberland sliderThe Cumberland slider or Cumberland turtle, is a semiaquatic turtle of the family Emydidae.- Taxonomy :...
Hybrid
- Trachemys scripta elegans x Trachemys scripta scripta - Red-eared slider x yellow-bellied sliderRed-eared slider x yellow-bellied sliderThe red-eared slider x yellow-bellied slider is an intergradation of a red-eared slider and yellow-bellied slider sub-species. On the side of its head where a normal yellow-bellied slider would have solid yellow, there will be some red mixed in. The bottom of its shell is a bright yellow with...
External links
- Dewey, T. and T. Kuhrt. 2002. "Trachemys scripta" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed July 29, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Trachemys_scripta.html.
- Rhudy, Robyn "Sliders" (On-Line), Accessed April 29, 2009 at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/sliders.htm