Pond Slider

Description

Three subspecies are recognized in Tennessee: Red-eared Slider (T. s. elegans), Yellow-bellied Slider (T. s. scripta), and Cumberland Slider (T. s. troostii). Red-eared Slider occurs west of the Upper Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages to the Mississippi River, Yellow-bellied Slider occurs in the Tennessee River in the southeast corner of the state and the Cumberland Slider occurs in the Upper Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages in eastern Tennessee.

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (adults average 5.0 to 8.0 inches in length, max 11.5+ inches, but bigger ones have been reported) with a carapace (upper shell) ranging from dark green to brown to almost black with yellowish markings. Head, neck, and limbs are striped yellow over a green or brownish skin. The lower jaw is rounded rather than flattened.   Plastron (lower shell) is yellow, with each plate usually having a dark spot.

The Red-eared Slider usually has a distinctive, broad red stripe behind each eye. The Yellow-bellied Slider has a large yellow blotch behind the eyes that joins the neck stripe. The Cumberland Slider has a narrower yellow stripe behind each eye and fewer, wider stripes on legs, neck, and head.

Similar Species: False Map Turtle has a backward, yellow “L” mark behind the eyes. Mississippi Map Turtle has a yellow crescent behind the eye. The Northern Map Turtle has a small spot behind the eye. Painted Turtle has red coloration on the shell. Ouachita Map Turtle has a large rectangular patch behind the eye and has a keel. Eastern River Cooter has dark, donut-shaped markings under the marginal plates.

Habitat: Prefers still waters such as ponds and lakes, but will also use slow-moving rivers, sloughs, and oxbow lakes. Aquatic vegetation, muddy bottoms, and abundant basking sites are important to.

Diet: Primarily vegetables, but will eat insects, snails, tadpoles, crayfish, and fish.

Breeding information: Adults begin courting and mating in the water during spring, possibly continuing into fall. Females leave the water to find a suitable nesting site to lay 4-22 oval, white eggs. Eggs hatch in late summer or fall, but the young remain in the nest through the winter and dig out the next spring.

Status in Tennessee: Common across the state, especially Red-eared Sliders. Slider populations have declined recently due to collection for the pet trade and food trade.

Best places to see in Tennessee: Basking on logs or fallen trees around the edges of lakes or ponds.