songkhla zoo

Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta)

Information English Name / Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle Science Name / Trachemys scripta

Interesting :

There is a large orange or red at the back of the eye. Upper carapace, rounded, smooth edges. There are different colors of green and yellow to black carapace. The lower carapace is yellow with black dots on a large scale, each plate. Head, neck and legs are green. Yellow color with stripes.

Habitat :

Freshwater habitats, rivers, ditches, swamps, lakes and ponds. In its native range, Trachemys scripta is an inhabitant of a wide variety of waterbodies, and is most abundant in soft-bottomed shallow habitats with minimal flow, abundant access to sunlight and extensive vegetation. In Mexico, it is primarily a riverine species. In Europe, the species is an opportunistic inhabitant of freshwater habitats, generally in close proximity to human habitation and/or recreation centres. Trachemys scripta is omnivorous and consumes a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Males may reach 24 cm carapace length (CL), females 29 cm. Maturity is reached at about 9-11 cm CL and two to five years in males, 15-20 cm CL and five to eight years. Longevity is about 30 years maximum. Generation time is probably around 12-15 years. Females produce 0-3 clutches of 5-20 eggs per year. Incubation takes 60-91 days. Hatchlings measure 23-35 mm (Thomas 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009)

Food :

Omnivorous, vegetation, fruit, small animals and carrion.

Current Status :

Leaet Concern Trachemys scripta is subject to a variety of State legislation and regulations. The species occurs in a substantial number of protected areas. European populations are either tolerated or their elimination is desired. The European Union has banned the import of T.s. elegans on the basis of of it being an invasive species, but other subspecies are being imported instead. Awareness of the responsibilities of acquiring the species as a pet is needed, as are appropriate disposal options for unwanted pets and captured feral animals. Surveys, monitoring and research on the spread and ecological effects of feral populations is warranted