Trachemys scripta (Schopf, 1792)
Family: Emydidae Red-eared Slider Status: Established Description: A medium sized to large turtle. Individuals can reach 28 cm but most are smaller. This is the familiar turtle of the pet trade. The carapace is green to brown and variably patterned with light and dark bands and stripes. There is generally a yellow stripe that passes through the center of each costal scute. The plastron is yellow with a large dark blotch on each scute. The Skin is green to grey with numerous light stripes. There is a prominent red mark that extends back from the eye. As they age individuals can darken. Old adults can appear uniform dark brown/grey to black without obvious markings and can be quite difficult to identify. The claws on a males forefeet can be very long and are used in courtship. Biology: This turtle is mostly aquatic though it basks extensively and can be quite easy to observe. Like most turtles it prefers slow moving bodies of water with a soft bottom and extensive basking sites. On Guam it occurs in rivers and lakes. It is often observed moving over land between two bodies of water. This turtle will feed on almost any organic matter including fish, crustaceans, carrion, invertebrates, fruit, and vegetation though juveniles tend to be more carnivorous than adults. Adult males possess elongated claws on the forefeet that are used to “tickle” the head and neck of females during courtship. Distribution: In the Mariana Islands this turtle occurs on both Saipan and Guam. The subspecies that has been introduced to the Marianas is native to the southeastern United States and northern Mexico. In addition to the Marianas, populations are established in many areas of Europe, Hawaii, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Australia. Its popularity in the pet trade no doubt contributes to its nearly global distribution. On Guam it is found in rivers and ponds across the island. |