Trachemys scripta

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	TESTUDINES	EMYDIDAE

Scientific Name:

Trachemys scripta

Species Authority:

(Schoepff, 1792)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle, Common Slider, Cumberland Slider Turtle, Red-eared Slider Turtle, Slider

Synonym/s:

Chrysemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792)

Emys cumberlandensis Holbrook, 1840

Emys elegans Wied, 1839

Emys troostii Holbrook, 1836

Pseudemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792)

Testudo scripta Schoepff, 1792

Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792) (Holbrook, 1836)

Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792) (Wied, 1839)

Taxonomic Notes:

Previously extending to Argentina with about 15 subspecies in North, Central and South America, most former subspecies have been elevated to species rank in recent years, leaving only Trachemys scripta scripta, T.s. troostii and T.s. elegans as current subspecies (see Seidel 2002, TTWG 2007, Fritz and Havas 2007, for details).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

van Dijk, P.P., Harding, J. & Hammerson, G.A.

Reviewer/s:

Horne, B.D., Mittermeier, R.A., Philippen, H.-D., Quinn, H.R., Rhodin, A.G.J., Shaffer, H.B. & Vogt, R.C

Contributor/s:

Corti, C., Lymberakis, P., Cheylan, M., Hammerson, G.A., Geniez, P., Pérez Mellado, V., Lavin, P. & Mendoza-Quijano, F.

Justification:
Trachemys scripta is assessed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, and large population.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/near threatened (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Trachemys scripta is native to the eastern and central United States of America (Iverson 1992). Its subspecies are disributed as follows: T.s. scripta: Atlantic drainages from southern Virginia to northern Florida. T.s. elegans: Alabama to extreme northeastern Mexico, up to Cuatro Cienegas. T.s. troostii: Southwestern Virginia to northeastern Alabama (west of Appalachians). Introduced populations of T.s. elegans have been reported from Mexico: feral populations exist throughout the country; parts of the United States (Arizona, California, Hawaiian Islands, northeastern States); Guadeloupe (France): Occurs on Grande Terre and Basse Terre (Iverson 1992, Malhotra and Thorpe 1999); Portugal: widespread, especially in the south; Spain: widespread at low elevations; France: widespread, except in the north; Italy (scattered throughout the country); Slovenia (near Italian border region); Greece (Crete); Austria (Vienna region); Germany; southwestern Switzerland; Netherlands; Turkey; Israel; South Africa; Taiwan; Thailand; Cambodia; Indonesia; and Australia.
Countries:	Native: Mexico (Coahuila); United States (Alabama, Arizona - Introduced, Arkansas, California - Introduced, Florida, Georgia, Hawaiian Is. - Introduced, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland - Introduced, Michigan - Introduced, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey - Introduced, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania - Introduced, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia) Introduced: Cambodia; Canada; China; France; Germany; Greece; Guadeloupe; Indonesia; Israel; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; South Africa; Spain; Switzerland; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Range Description:

Trachemys scripta is native to the eastern and central United States of America (Iverson 1992). Its subspecies are disributed as follows:

T.s. scripta: Atlantic drainages from southern Virginia to northern Florida.
T.s. elegans: Alabama to extreme northeastern Mexico, up to Cuatro Cienegas.
T.s. troostii: Southwestern Virginia to northeastern Alabama (west of Appalachians).

Introduced populations of T.s. elegans have been reported from Mexico: feral populations exist throughout the country; parts of the United States (Arizona, California, Hawaiian Islands, northeastern States); Guadeloupe (France): Occurs on Grande Terre and Basse Terre (Iverson 1992, Malhotra and Thorpe 1999); Portugal: widespread, especially in the south; Spain: widespread at low elevations; France: widespread, except in the north; Italy (scattered throughout the country); Slovenia (near Italian border region); Greece (Crete); Austria (Vienna region); Germany; southwestern Switzerland; Netherlands; Turkey; Israel; South Africa; Taiwan; Thailand; Cambodia; Indonesia; and Australia.

Countries:

Native:

Mexico (Coahuila); United States (Alabama, Arizona - Introduced, Arkansas, California - Introduced, Florida, Georgia, Hawaiian Is. - Introduced, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland - Introduced, Michigan - Introduced, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey - Introduced, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania - Introduced, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia)

Introduced:

Cambodia; Canada; China; France; Germany; Greece; Guadeloupe; Indonesia; Israel; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; South Africa; Spain; Switzerland; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand

Range Map:

Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	United States: A widespread species that is common in its native range, and has established populations beyond its native range. Mexico: locally common within its native range, and has established feral populations throughout the country. In Europe it is becoming increasingly abundant, especially in Portugal, Spain and France.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	In its native range, Trachemys scripta is an inhabitant of a wide variety of waterbodies, and is most abundant in soft-bottomed shallow habitats with minimal flow, abundant access to sunlight and extensive vegetation. In Mexico, it is primarily a riverine species. In Europe, the species is an opportunistic inhabitant of freshwater habitats, generally in close proximity to human habitation and/or recreation centres. Trachemys scripta is omnivorous and consumes a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Males may reach 24 cm carapace length (CL), females 29 cm. Maturity is reached at about 9-11 cm CL and two to five years in males, 15-20 cm CL and five to eight years. Longevity is about 30 years maximum. Generation time is probably around 12-15 years. Females produce 0-3 clutches of 5-20 eggs per year. Incubation takes 60-91 days. Hatchlings measure 23-35 mm (Thomas 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009)
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

In its native range, Trachemys scripta is an inhabitant of a wide variety of waterbodies, and is most abundant in soft-bottomed shallow habitats with minimal flow, abundant access to sunlight and extensive vegetation. In Mexico, it is primarily a riverine species. In Europe, the species is an opportunistic inhabitant of freshwater habitats, generally in close proximity to human habitation and/or recreation centres.

Trachemys scripta is omnivorous and consumes a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Males may reach 24 cm carapace length (CL), females 29 cm. Maturity is reached at about 9-11 cm CL and two to five years in males, 15-20 cm CL and five to eight years. Longevity is about 30 years maximum. Generation time is probably around 12-15 years. Females produce 0-3 clutches of 5-20 eggs per year. Incubation takes 60-91 days. Hatchlings measure 23-35 mm (Thomas 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009)

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Individuals and populations of Trachemys scripta can be under varying levels of impact from habitat degradation and loss, road mortality, pollution (particularly pesticides and heavy metals), and collection. These threats collectively are not perceived to endanger the survival of the species. Populations in Europe are in places considered to represent a threat to local turtle species (through competition) and the ecosystem in general (competition, predation). Trachemys scripta elegans is included in the IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group's 100 Worst Invasives List.

Major Threat(s):

Individuals and populations of Trachemys scripta can be under varying levels of impact from habitat degradation and loss, road mortality, pollution (particularly pesticides and heavy metals), and collection. These threats collectively are not perceived to endanger the survival of the species.

Populations in Europe are in places considered to represent a threat to local turtle species (through competition) and the ecosystem in general (competition, predation). Trachemys scripta elegans is included in the IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group's 100 Worst Invasives List.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Trachemys scripta is subject to a variety of State legislation and regulations. The species occurs in a substantial number of protected areas. European populations are either tolerated or their elimination is desired. The European Union has banned the import of T.s. elegans on the basis of of it being an invasive species, but other subspecies are being imported instead. Awareness of the responsibilities of acquiring the species as a pet is needed, as are appropriate disposal options for unwanted pets and captured feral animals. Surveys, monitoring and research on the spread and ecological effects of feral populations is warranted.

Conservation Actions:

Trachemys scripta is subject to a variety of State legislation and regulations. The species occurs in a substantial number of protected areas. European populations are either tolerated or their elimination is desired. The European Union has banned the import of T.s. elegans on the basis of of it being an invasive species, but other subspecies are being imported instead.

Awareness of the responsibilities of acquiring the species as a pet is needed, as are appropriate disposal options for unwanted pets and captured feral animals. Surveys, monitoring and research on the spread and ecological effects of feral populations is warranted.

Bibliography [top]

	Ernst, C.H. and Lovich, J.E. 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Second edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Ernst, C.H., Lovich, J.E. and Barbour, R.W. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian, Washington, DC. 578 pp. Fritz, U. and Havas, P. 2007. Checklist of Chelonians of the World. Vertebrate Zoology 57(2): 149-368. Gibbons, J.W. (ed.). 1990. Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle. Smithsonian Publications, Washington DC. IUCN. 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2011.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 16 June 2011). Iverson, J.B. 1992. A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. privately published, Richmond, Indiana. Malhotra, A. and Thorpe, R.S. 1999. Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean. Macmillan Education Ltd, London & Oxford. Seidel, M. 2002. Taxonomic observations on extant species and subspecies of slider turtles, Genus Trachemys. Journal of Herpetology 36(2): 285-292. Thomas, R.B. 2006. Trachemys scripta - Slider or Yellow-Bellied Slider. In: Meylan, P.A. (ed.), Biologya and Conservation of Florida Turtles, pp. 296-312. Chelonian Research Foundation, Lunenburg, MA. TTWG (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group). 2010. Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status. Chelonian Research Monographs 5: 000-85-000164. Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [Bickham, J.W., Iverson, J.B., Parham, J.F., Philippen, H.D., Rhodin, A.G.J., Shaffer, H.B., Spinks, P.Q., and van Dijk, P.P.]. 2007. An annotated list of modern turtle terminal taxa with comments on areas of taxonomic instability and recent change. In: Shaffer, H.B., FitzSimmons, N.N., Georges, A., and Rhodin, A.G.J. (eds), Defining Turtle Diversity: Proceedings of a Workshop on Genetics, Ethics, and Taxonomy of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises, Chelonian Research Monographs No. 4, pp. 173-199.

Ernst, C.H. and Lovich, J.E. 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Second edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Ernst, C.H., Lovich, J.E. and Barbour, R.W. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian, Washington, DC. 578 pp.

Fritz, U. and Havas, P. 2007. Checklist of Chelonians of the World. Vertebrate Zoology 57(2): 149-368.

Gibbons, J.W. (ed.). 1990. Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle. Smithsonian Publications, Washington DC.

IUCN. 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2011.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 16 June 2011).

Iverson, J.B. 1992. A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. privately published, Richmond, Indiana.

Malhotra, A. and Thorpe, R.S. 1999. Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean. Macmillan Education Ltd, London & Oxford.

Seidel, M. 2002. Taxonomic observations on extant species and subspecies of slider turtles, Genus Trachemys. Journal of Herpetology 36(2): 285-292.

Thomas, R.B. 2006. Trachemys scripta - Slider or Yellow-Bellied Slider. In: Meylan, P.A. (ed.), Biologya and Conservation of Florida Turtles, pp. 296-312. Chelonian Research Foundation, Lunenburg, MA.

TTWG (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group). 2010. Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status. Chelonian Research Monographs 5: 000-85-000164.

Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [Bickham, J.W., Iverson, J.B., Parham, J.F., Philippen, H.D., Rhodin, A.G.J., Shaffer, H.B., Spinks, P.Q., and van Dijk, P.P.]. 2007. An annotated list of modern turtle terminal taxa with comments on areas of taxonomic instability and recent change. In: Shaffer, H.B., FitzSimmons, N.N., Georges, A., and Rhodin, A.G.J. (eds), Defining Turtle Diversity: Proceedings of a Workshop on Genetics, Ethics, and Taxonomy of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises, Chelonian Research Monographs No. 4, pp. 173-199.

Citation:	van Dijk, P.P., Harding, J. & Hammerson, G.A. 2011. Trachemys scripta. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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