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Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied)
Class:
Sarcopterygii
Order:
Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Other scientific names appearing in the literature of this species:
Pseudemys scripta, Chrysemys scripta.
Common Name: Red-eared slider, red-eared terrapin, elegant terrapin.
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Distinguishing Features: Red-eared sliders can be distinguished from all other North American turtles by the presence of a broad red stripe behind the eye. Some specimens, especially older males, become melanistic or black, which makes identification difficult (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Conant and Collins, 1991; Tucker et al., 1995).
Similar Species: Red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans,
are similar to yellowbelly sliders, T. scripta scripta, which naturally
occur from southeast Virginia to northern Florida. Yellowbelly sliders can be
distinguished by having yellow markings behind their eyes instead of the red
marking red-eared sliders possess (Conant and Collins, 1991).
Biology: Red-eared sliders prefer quiet water with a muddy bottom and abundant vegetation, but they are also rarely found in moving waters. They can frequently be seen basking on rocks, logs, vegetation masses, and on banks (Mount, 1975; Behler, 1979; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Conant and Collins, 1991). Although mortality rates are high among the young, adults are believed to live as long as 50-75 years (Dundee and Rossman, 1989).
Temperature: This species is sensitive to cold temperatures over the northern portion of its range. Hatchlings overwinter in their nests. Packard et al. (1997) suggested this species may be limited towards the north of its range, in Illinois, by the depth of soil freezes in the winter. Isolated populations occurring in Michigan, suffer heavy mortalities in the winter, surviving mostly in artificial ponds (Holman, 1994).
Salinity: Red-eared sliders are found both in fresh and brackish waters including coastal marsh ponds (Dundee and Rossman, 1989).
Reproduction and Fecundity: Although significant differences in growth rates have been documented between populations (Tucker et al., 1998), female red-eared sliders are typically larger than males (Gibbons and Lovich, 1990). Males typically mature when they reach a plastron length of 90-100mm, between 2-5 years of age. Females at plastron lengths between 150 and 195 mm (Cagle in Ernst and Barbour, 1972). Courtship occurs in Spring and Fall, and has been reported as highly stereotyped (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Jackson and Davis in Lovich et al., 1990). Nests are excavated along the banks well above water, or some times considerable distances from water (Mount, 1975). Nests are excavated to a depth of 120-140 cm (Packard et al., 1997). In Louisiana, eggs are deposited from late March to mid July. Clutch size varies from 2-19 eggs, and is typically between 7 and 13 (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Tucker and Janzen, 1998). Eggs are white and usually measure between 23.5 and 44.2 mm in length and 18.4 to 24.6 mm in width (Dundee and Rossman, 1989). Eggs hatch in approximately 68-70 days and newborns are 20-35 mm long (Dundee and Rossman, 1989). Chen and Lue (1998) reported eggs incubated under lab conditions, to hatch in 75 days. Up to three clutches may be laid per season. As is the case with other turtles, sex determination of hatchlings is temperature dependent (Lockwood et al., 1991). Most hatchlings overwinter in their nest (Mount, 1975; Packard et al., 1997). Sexual maturity is reached in two to five years (Dundee and Rossman, 1989).
Trophic Interactions: This species is omnivorous consuming whatever is available. Juveniles tend to be more carnivorous whereas older specimens tend to be more herbivorous (Ernst and Barbour, 1972; Behler, 1979; Dundee and Rossman, 1989). In Taiwan, where red-eared sliders have been introduced, Chen and Lue (1990) reported plant materials such as filamentous algae and Murdannia keisak leaves, and the snail Physa acuta, as the most common food items from the stomachs of 17 individuals examined. These authors also found fishes, dipteran larvae and pupae, and terrestrial insects, in lesser amounts. Animals reported as prey items in Louisiana include crawfish, small crustaceans, insects, and a small vertebrates. In captivity red-eared sliders will accept most foods given including canned dog food, lettuce, bananas, etc. (Dundee and Rossman, 1989).
Mortality among hatchlings, juveniles and young adults is relatively high
(Tucker and Janzen, 1999). Nests are frequently raided by skunks, racoons and
snakes (Dundee and Rossman, 1989).
Maximum Size: This species typically grows to approximately 203 mm
with a maximum size of 289 mm recorded (Conant and Collins, 1991).
Distribution: Because of how common introductions of this subspecies have been, its natural range in North America is not fully known (Holman, 1994). Red-eared sliders are believed to naturally occur in the Mississippi valley from northern Illinois and Indiana to the northern Gulf of Mexico, west to Texas and east to western Alabama (Holman, 1994). Pritchard (1967), reported this subspecies to naturally occur farther east, to Georgia and farther west to Mexico. Conant and Collins (1991) reported this subspecies east to Virginia and west to northeast Mexico.
Red-eared sliders were introduced, and are established in Miami, Dade county,
Florida (King and Krakauer, 1966), and Lake Conway, near Orlando on the Atlantic
coast of Florida (Bancroft et al. in Hutchinson, 1992). Hutchinson (1992)
reported a reproducing population from Fox Hall Pond on Eckerd College, in
Pinellas county, Florida for the Gulf coast.
Current Status of this Species in the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem: Red-eared sliders are among the most common turtles throughout the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. For example Cagle in Dundee and Rossman (1989) reported this species to constitute 80% of the freshwater turtles of Louisiana. They have also traditionally been the most popular turtles sold in pet shops (Ernst and Barbour, 1972; Carmichael and Williams, 1991). Presently federal regulations prohibit the sale of hatchlings in the United States (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Close and Seigel, 1997). However, when their sale was legal, they were intentionally or accidentally released, with frequency, by recreational aquarists. Red-eared sliders are established in many areas throughout the Gulf they would naturally not occur, including southern Florida. They have been established in southern Florida at least since 1958 (Wilson and Porras, 1983). They have been reported as introduced on the Atlantic coast of Florida as far north as Orlando (Bancroft et al. in Hutchinson, 1992). For the Gulf, Hutchinson (1992) collected 16 red-eared sliders in a ten week period between February and May of 1991, from Fox Hall Pond, Eckerd College, Pinellas county, Florida. Plastron lengths ranged from 79.4 to 215.7 mm, with most specimens measuring from 145 to 174 mm in plastron length.
Ironically, although red-eared sliders have been widely introduced throughout the world, concern has been expressed regarding their future well-being over portions of their natural range within the Gulf ecosystem (Close and Seigel, 1997). Red-eared sliders are one of the most heavily harvested species in Louisiana. Hatchlings are collected for sale in the international pet trade industry and adults are collected for their meat, which is consumed both locally and internationally (Close and Siegel, 1997). Close and Seigel (1997) found significant differences in size structure of populations exposed to different levels of harvesting in Louisiana and western Mississippi. They suggested heavy harvesting may be affecting the population structure of this subspecies in Louisiana.
Potential Impacts: Red-eared sliders have been reported to carry Salmonella. At the height of pet store turtle sales in the United States, red-eared sliders were being raised in large numbers under sub-optimal conditions. Adults were being fed lettuce refuse and moldy bread. The decaying foods developed Salmonella. The sliders were not affected but served as carriers, that infected the young children who purchased them as pets (Ernst and Barbour, 1972; Dundee and Rossman, 1989). Presently it's illegal to sell red-eared slider hatchlings in the United States, although they are still raised within this country for sale as pets in other countries (Dundee and Rossman, 1989). Close and Seigel (1997) reported approximately 26 million red-eared sliders were exported from the US to international markets between 1988 and 1994. Concern, over the possible establishment of this species in other countries, has been raised (Newberry, 1984; Bouskila, 1986; Da Silva and Blasco, 1995; Chen and Lue, 1998).
Red-eared sliders may compete with native turtles for trophic resources and nesting areas. Chen and Lue (1998) reported red-eared sliders as the second most common turtle in Taiwan. They expressed concern over its possible negative effects on native turtles. These authors also reported detrimental effects of red-eared sliders on aquatic vegetation.
If specimens introduced into Florida continue to expand their range
northward, these introduced individuals may hybridize with yellowbelly sliders,
Trachemys scipta scripta which naturally occur along the eastern coast of
the United States from northern Florida to Virginia (Hutchinson, 1992).
References:
Behler, J.L. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York. 743 pp.
Bouskila, A. 1986. On the danger of the red-eared terrapin, Chrysemys scripta, in natural habitats in Israel. Hardun 3:63.
Carmichael, P. and W. Williams. 1991. Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians. World Publications. Tampa, FL. 120 pp.
Chen, T., and K. Lue. 1998. Ecological notes on feral populations of Trachemys scripta elegans in northern Taiwan. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3(1):87-90.
Close, L.M., and R.A. Seigel. 1997. Differences in body size among populations of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) subjected to different levels of harvesting. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2(4):563-566.
Conant, R., and J.T. Collins. 1991. Reptiles and Amphibians. Eastern/Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston. 450 pp.
Da Silva, E., and M. Blasco. 1995. Trachemys scripta elegans in southwestern Spain. Herpetological Review 26(3):133-134.
Dundee, H.A., and D.A. Rossman. 1989. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana. Louisiana State University Press. Baton Rouge. 300 pp.
Ernst, C.H., and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States. The University Press of Kentucky. Lexington. 347 pp.
Gibbons, J.W., and J.E. Lovich. 1990. Sexual dimorphism in turtles with emphasis on the slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). Herpetological monographs 4:1-29.
Holman, J.A. 1994. Status of the red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta elegans (Weid) in Michigan: A preliminary report. Michigan Academician 26:471-477.
Hutchison, A. M. 1992. A reproducing population of Trachemys scripta elegans in southern Pinellas County, Florida. Herpetological Review 23(3):74-75.
King, W., and T. Krakauer. 1966. The exotic herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 29(2):144-154.
Lockwood, S.F., B.S. Holland, J.W. Bickham, B.G. Hanks, and J.J. Bull. 1991. Intraspecific genome size variation in a turtle (Trachemys scripta) exhibiting temperature-dependent sex determination. Canadian Journal of Zoology 69:2306-2310.
Lovich, J.E., W.R. Garstka, and W.E. Cooper, Jr. 1990. Female participation in courtship behavior of the turtle Trachemys scipta scripta. Journal of Herpetology 24(4):422-424.
Mount, R.H. 1975. The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. Auburn Printing Co. Auburn. 345 pp.
Newberry, R. 1984. The American red-eared terrapin in South Africa. African Wildlife 38:186-189.
Packard, G.C., J.K. Tucker, D. Nicholson, and M.J. Packard. 1997. Cold tolerance in hatching slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). Copeia 1997(2):339-345.
Pritchard, P.C.H. 1967. Living Turtles of the World. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Jersey City, NJ. 288 pp.
Smith, H., and A.J. Kohler. 1987. A survey of herpetological introductions in the United States and Canada. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Sciences 80:1-24.
Tucker, J.K. 1997. Natural history notes on nesting, nests, and hatchling emergence in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans, in West-central Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes 140. 13 pp.
Tucker, J.K., and J. Janzen. 1998. Order of oviposition and egg size in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). Canadian Journal of Zoology 76:377-380.
Tucker, J.K., and J. Janzen. 1999. Size based mortality due to predation in a nesting freshwater turtle, Trachemys scripta. American Midland Naturalist 141:198-203.
Tucker, J.K., F.J. Janzen, and G.L. Paukstis. 1998. Variation in carapace morphology and reproduction in the red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans. Journal of Herpetology 32(2):294-298.
Tucker, J.K., R.J. Maher, C.H. Theiling. 1995. Melanism in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Journal of Herpetology 29(2):291-296.
Tucker, J.K., and D. Moll. 1997. Growth, reproduction and survivorship in the red-eared turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans, in Illinois, with conservation implications. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2(3):352-357.
Wilson, L.D., and L. Porras. 1983. The Ecological Impact of Man on the South Florida Herpetofauna. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 9. Lawrence. 89 pp.
Windsor Aguirre - windsor.aguirre@usm.eduStuart G. Poss - Stuart.Poss@usm.edu
Date Created: 30 March 1999
Date Last Modified: 16 February 2000
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