Yellow-bellied slider turtle  (Trachemys scripta)

The yellow-bellied slider turtle is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The distinctive markings of the yellow-bellied slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) make it very popular in the pet trade (1). It has conspicuous yellow stripes on its head, neck and limbs, and a striking yellow, red or orange spot either side of the head (2). The oval carapace of the yellow-bellied slider turtle is olive to brown, with yellow stripes or bars (3). The plastron is yellow and usually has single dark blotches on each bony plate (2).

Three subspecies are recognised: Trachemys scripta scripta, Trachemys scripta troostii and Trachemys scripta elegans. The coloured markings on the shell, body and head vary between subspecies (1) (2).

The male yellow-bellied slider turtle is usually smaller than the female and has a long, thick tail. The male will also become darker as it matures. In some subspecies, the male has elongated, curved claws on the front feet (2) (4).

The yellow-bellied slider turtle is native to eastern and central North America. This species has been introduced into other parts of North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, and is becoming increasingly abundant in many countries outside its native range (1).

The yellow-bellied slider turtle can be found ina wide range of freshwater habitats, rivers, ditches, swamps, lakes and ponds. It prefers shallow, slow-flowing waters with abundant aquatic vegetation to feed on, soft bottom substrates and plenty of basking sites (1) (5).

The yellow-bellied slider turtle tends to hibernate underwater or in more secluded and protected places near edges of the waterline (6).

In Mexico, the yellow-bellied slider turtle is normally found in river habitats. In Europe, this species can be found in most freshwater habitats, generally near human populations (1).

The yellow-bellied slider turtle is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on a wide range of animals and plant matter. Food preferences change as the yellow-bellied slider turtle matures, with the juvenile having a predominantly carnivorous diet, and the adult feeding mainly on aquatic plants (2). 

The yellow-bellied slider turtle can live up to 30 years. The male matures between two to five years, and the female matures between five to eight years. The female can produce up to 3 clutches per year, laying between 5 and 20 eggs which hatch after an incubation period of between 60 to 91 days (1). Eggs are laid in jug-shaped nests, dug in soft, damp soil in open, unshaded areas. Females may travel over a kilometre from the water to find a suitable nesting site (2).

In the European populations, reproduction in the wild is rarely successful, although egg laying behaviour has been observed. However, successful breeding may occur in southern European counties where the summers are warmer (2).

The yellow-bellied slider turtle is widespread and common, and is not considered endangered. However, certain populations may be threatened by habitat loss, pollution and collection for the pet trade (1).

Trachemys scripta elegans is considered to be one of the 100 top invasive species in the world, and has been introduced to many countries through the pet trade. Introduced populations of the yellow-bellied slider turtle compete with local turtle species for food, nesting and basking sites. These populations may also carry new parasites, which threaten native species such as the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) (5).

No conservation measures are known to specifically target the yellow-bellied slider turtle, but this species occurs in a number of protected areas (1).

The importation of Trachemys scripta elegans into Europe has been banned by the European Union, but this ban does not apply to the two other subspecies. Proper education into the responsibilities of keeping the yellow-bellied slider turtle as a pet, and disposal methods for unwanted pets, are needed to stem the invasive threats posed by the yellow-bellied slider turtle (1).

For more information about the yellow-bellied slider turtle:

• NOBANIS - Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet: Trachemys scripta (August, 2011)
  http://www.nobanis.org/files/factsheets/Trachemys_scripta.pdf
• Global Invasive Species Database  - Trachemys scripta elegans (August, 2011)
  http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=71&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN

For further information on reptile conservation: 

• International Reptile Conservation Foundation:
  http://www.ircf.org