Pond slider

Pond Slider
File:Redearedslider2.JPG
Trachemys scripta elegans, the red-eared slider
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Subclass:	Anapsida
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Subfamily:	Deirochelyinae
Genus:	Trachemys
Species:	T. scripta
Binomial name
Trachemys scripta (Thunberg, 1792), (Schoepff, 1792)
File:Tracheymys scripta range.png
Subspecies range map in the United States. Red: red-eared slider (also in Mexico) Yellow: yellow-bellied slider Green: Cumberland slider

The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) 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 and has been introduced to other parts of the world by people releasing it to the wild. Baby and juvenile pond sliders have a green shell (carapace) and yellow green skin with dark green striped markings. Markings and colors fade in adults to a muted olive green to brown carapace. 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 United States and Mexico

Subspecies

• Trachemys scripta scripta – Yellow-bellied slider
• Trachemys scripta elegans – Red-eared slider
• Trachemys scripta troostii – Cumberland slider

Hybrid

• Trachemys scripta elegans x Trachemys scripta scripta – Red-eared slider x yellow-bellied slider

References

Bibliography

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