Yellow-bellied slider: Difference between revisions

Yellow-bellied Slider
	Yellow-bellied slider
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Subclass:	Anapsida
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Trachemys
Species:	T. scripta
Subspecies:	T. s. scripta
Trinomial name
	Trachemys scripta scripta; (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit Next edit →

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Revision as of 00:35, 12 May 2011

The yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) is a land and water turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. This subspecies of pond slider is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia,^[1] and is the most common turtle species in its range.^[2] It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds.^[3] Yellow-bellied sliders are popular as pets.

Description

a Adult male yellow-bellied sliders typically reach 5–8 inches (13–20 cm) in length; females are anywhere from 8–13 inches (20–33 cm).^[4] The carapace (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck and legs. As the name implies, the plastron (bottom shell) is mostly yellow with green spots along the edges. Adult males tend to grow darker as they age.^[5]^[6] Yellow-bellied sliders are often confused with Eastern River Cooters, who also have yellow stripes on the neck and yellow undersides, but the latter lack the green spots characteristic to T. scripta scripta and the yellow belly often has a "s" like yellow stripe on its face.

Mating can occur in spring, summer, and autumn. Yellow-bellied sliders are capable of interbreeding with other T. scripta subspecies, such as red-eared sliders, which are also commonly sold as pets. The release of non-native red-eared sliders into local environments caused the state of Florida to ban the sale of red-eared sliders so as to protect the native population of yellow-bellied sliders.^[7]

Mating takes place in the water, but some suitable terrestrial area is required for egg-laying by nesting females, who will normally lay 6–11 eggs at a time, with larger females capable of bearing more. The eggs incubate for 2–3 months and the hatchlings will usually stay with the nest through winter. Hatchlings are almost entirely carnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish, and carrion. As they age, adults eat less and less meat such that up to 95% of their nutritional intake comes from plants.^[6]

The slider is considered a diurnal turtle; it feeds mainly in the morning and frequently basks on shore, on logs, or while floating, during the rest of the day. At night, it sleeps lying on the bottom or resting on the surface near brush piles, but in all cases it prefers to stay in the water. Highest densities of sliders occur where algae blooms and aquatic macrophytes are abundant and are of the type that form dense mats at the surface, such as Myriophyllum spicatum and lily pads (Nymphaeaceae). Dense surface vegetation provides cover from predators and supports high densities of aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates, which offers better foraging than open water.^[8]

The lifespan of yellow-bellied sliders is over 30 years in the wild,^[9] and over 40 years in captivity.^[6]

As pets

Housing

Baby yellow-bellied sliders may be kept in a 10-US-gallon (38 L) aquarium, but as they age, they will require much more space. One or two adults may be housed in a 75 US gal (284 L) (or larger) aquarium. The turtles require enough water to turn around should they fall on their backs, with a depth of 16–18 in (41–46 cm) recommended. Water temperature should be kept between 72–80°F (22–27°C) and properly filtered.^[6] Fish may not be kept together with the turtles. Sliders need a basking area that is kept warm during the day and that will allow the turtle to move around, balance, and dry off completely. This area should average 89–95°F (32–35°C) and can be heated with a UV-B heat lamp, although direct sunlight is always preferable. The lamp should be switched on during daylight hours.^[6] Turtle banks can be purchased at many pet goods retailers.

Diet

Pond plants such as elodea and cabomba can be left in the water, while human-consumed vegetables such as romaine lettuce, escarole and collard greens must be changed daily. As sliders are omnivores, insects and freshly killed fish may also be provided for protein. Commercially processed animal-based reptile food may be given too, but any leftovers should be immediately removed to prevent fouling the water.^[6]

References

^ Conant, R., J. Collins. 1991. Peterson Field Guides: Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
^ Scriber, K. T. (August 4, 1986). "Genetic Divergence among Populations of the Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta) Separated by Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats". Copeia. 1986 (3). American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: 691–700. doi:10.2307/1444951. JSTOR 1444951. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ "Yellow-Bellied Slider reptiles". Reptile Channel. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
^ "Care Sheet — Yellow-bellied Slider". Austin's Turtle Page. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
^ "Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle". Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia. Retrieved 2008-10-22. ^{[dead link]}
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Choosing a Yellow-Bellied Slider". Pet Place. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
^ Ochoa, Julio (June 30, 2007). "Red-eared slider turtles now on state's no-no list for pets". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
^ Morreale, Stephen J. (1986). "Habitat Suitability Index: Slider Turtle" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ "Yellow-bellied Slider". Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia. Retrieved 2008-10-22. ^{[dead link]}

External links

Aquatic Turtles as Pets - About.com
Austin's Turtle Page

[1] Conant, R., J. Collins. 1991. Peterson Field Guides: Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

[2] Scriber, K. T. (August 4, 1986). "Genetic Divergence among Populations of the Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta) Separated by Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats". Copeia. 1986 (3). American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: 691–700. doi:10.2307/1444951. JSTOR 1444951. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[3] "Yellow-Bellied Slider reptiles". Reptile Channel. Retrieved 2008-10-22.

[4] "Care Sheet — Yellow-bellied Slider". Austin's Turtle Page. Retrieved 2008-10-23.

[5] "Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle". Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia. Retrieved 2008-10-22. ^{[dead link]}

[petplace-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Choosing a Yellow-Bellied Slider". Pet Place. Retrieved 2008-10-22.

[7] Ochoa, Julio (June 30, 2007). "Red-eared slider turtles now on state's no-no list for pets". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2008-10-23.

[8] Morreale, Stephen J. (1986). "Habitat Suitability Index: Slider Turtle" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[9] "Yellow-bellied Slider". Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia. Retrieved 2008-10-22. ^{[dead link]}

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 ==Description==
-Adult male yellow-bellied sliders typically reach {{convert|5|-|8|in|cm|0}} in length; females are anywhere from {{convert|8|-|13|in|cm|0}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-yellowbelly.htm | title=Care Sheet — Yellow-bellied Slider | publisher=Austin's Turtle Page | accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> The [[carapace]] (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck and legs. As the name implies, the [[plastron]] (bottom shell) is mostly yellow with green spots along the edges. Adult males tend to grow darker as they age.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.uga.edu/srel/edpubs/slider.htm | title=Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle | publisher=Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia | accessdate=2008-10-22}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="petplace">{{cite web | url=http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/choosing-a-yellow-bellied-slider/page1.aspx | title=Choosing a Yellow-Bellied Slider | publisher=Pet Place | accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> Yellow-bellied sliders are often confused with [[Eastern River Cooter]]s, who also have yellow stripes on the neck and yellow undersides, but the latter lack the green spots characteristic to ''T. scripta scripta'' and the yellow belly often has a "s" like yellow stripe on its face.
+a Adult male yellow-bellied sliders typically reach {{convert|5|-|8|in|cm|0}} in length; females are anywhere from {{convert|8|-|13|in|cm|0}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-yellowbelly.htm | title=Care Sheet — Yellow-bellied Slider | publisher=Austin's Turtle Page | accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> The [[carapace]] (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck and legs. As the name implies, the [[plastron]] (bottom shell) is mostly yellow with green spots along the edges. Adult males tend to grow darker as they age.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.uga.edu/srel/edpubs/slider.htm | title=Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle | publisher=Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia | accessdate=2008-10-22}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="petplace">{{cite web | url=http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/choosing-a-yellow-bellied-slider/page1.aspx | title=Choosing a Yellow-Bellied Slider | publisher=Pet Place | accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> Yellow-bellied sliders are often confused with [[Eastern River Cooter]]s, who also have yellow stripes on the neck and yellow undersides, but the latter lack the green spots characteristic to ''T. scripta scripta'' and the yellow belly often has a "s" like yellow stripe on its face.
 [[Image:Yellow-bellied Slider 2.jpg|thumb|left|The yellow plastron with green spots is visible in this view.]]
 Mating can occur in spring, summer, and autumn. Yellow-bellied sliders are capable of [[interbreeding]] with other ''T. scripta'' subspecies, such as [[red-eared slider]]s, which are also commonly sold as pets. The release of non-native red-eared sliders into local environments caused the state of Florida to ban the sale of red-eared sliders so as to protect the native population of yellow-bellied sliders.<ref>{{cite news | title=Red-eared slider turtles now on state’s no-no list for pets | publisher=Naples Daily News | first=Julio | last=Ochoa | date=June 30, 2007 | url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jun/30/redeared_slider_turtles_now_states_nono_list_pets/ | accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref>
-Mating takes place in the water, but some suitable terrestrial area is required for egg-laying by nesting females, who will normally lay 6–10 eggs at a time, with larger females capable of bearing more. The eggs incubate for 2–3 months and the hatchlings will usually stay with the nest through winter. Hatchlings are almost entirely [[carnivore|carnivorous]], feeding on insects, spiders, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish, and carrion. As they age, adults eat less and less meat such that up to 95% of their nutritional intake comes from plants.<ref name="petplace"/>
+Mating takes place in the water, but some suitable terrestrial area is required for egg-laying by nesting females, who will normally lay 6–11 eggs at a time, with larger females capable of bearing more. The eggs incubate for 2–3 months and the hatchlings will usually stay with the nest through winter. Hatchlings are almost entirely [[carnivore|carnivorous]], feeding on insects, spiders, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish, and carrion. As they age, adults eat less and less meat such that up to 95% of their nutritional intake comes from plants.<ref name="petplace"/>
 The slider is considered a diurnal turtle; it feeds mainly in the morning and frequently basks on shore, on logs, or while floating, during the rest of the day. At night, it sleeps lying on the bottom or resting on the surface near brush piles, but in all cases it prefers to stay in the water. Highest densities of sliders occur where [[algae]] blooms and aquatic [[macrophyte]]s are abundant and are of the type that form dense mats at the surface, such as ''[[Myriophyllum spicatum]]'' and lily pads ([[Nymphaeaceae]]). Dense surface vegetation provides cover from predators and supports high densities of aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates, which offers better foraging than open water.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/hsi/hsi-125.pdf | format=PDF | title=Habitat Suitability Index: Slider Turtle | first=Stephen J. | last=Morreale | coauthors=Gibbons, J. Whitfield | publisher=[[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]] | year=1986}}</ref>