Yellow-bellied Slider
Trachemys scripta
- Habitat: Lives in freshwater lake and pond habitats
- Range: South-eastern U.S.A
- Natural Diet: Aquatic invertebrates and plants
- Status in the Wild: Common
Fun Facts
-
Yellow-bellied sliders have yellow markings on their body.
-
They are predominantly aquatic leaving the water only to bask in the sun or to build terrestrial nests.
-
While hatchlings are predominantly carnivorous by nature, 95% of an adult's dietary consumption consists of vegetation
-
The female slider turtles are larger than the males.
-
These turtles breed prolifically laying up to 2 and half dozen eggs per clutch. They can lay up to five clutches per year.
-
During the winter months, these turtles become dormant in a hibernation-like state called brumation
Conservation Threats
Although they are impacted by habitat loss, water pollution, road mortality, and pet trade, these threats do not seem to have a significant impact on their population numbers in the wild
These turtles are considered an invasive species since they are been released into the wild in non-native habitats by disinterested pet owners
