| Range: |
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| Other Names: |
Mexican Plateau Slider |
| Subspecies: |
Big Bend Slider Trachemys gaigeae gaigeae
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| Description: |
This is a medium-sized turtle with adults usually measuring 120-220mm (4.72-8.66") CL (Carpace Length). The skin is green to olive brown with light stripes. There is a prominent black-bordered red, orange or yellow ovoid spot on the side of the head, with another smaller spot usually present between it and the eye. The carapace is olive or brownish with numerous orange curved lines, some of which form ocelli. There is a weak keel on the carapace and the rear margin is serrated. The plastron is yellow with a darkmedian figure that may be disrupted longitudinally. With increasing age, melanism mat obscure much of the normal pattern, especially in males, although this is less often seen in specimens from New Mexico. Young have a lighter, more contrasting color pattern, often with spots and blotches having light centers. |
| Similar Species: |
The Pond Slider is most similar, but it has an elongate wide red, orange or yellow stripe or blotch rather than black-bordered spots on the head and the carapace has straight light lines rasther than curved lines and ocelli. The Painted Turtle has a smooth, keelless carapace without serrations on the posterior margin. The River Cooter has a notched upper jaw and the second costal scute has C-chaped markings. |
| Habitat: |
Ponds, rivers and irrigation ditches |
| Behavior: |
Basking turtles, commonly seen on the banks of irrigation ditches |
| Hibernation: |
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| Reproduction: |
Mate in the spring, females go on land to lay their eggs in nests they dig themselves. |
| Diet: |
Omnivores, eating more minnows, worms and other protein sources as young and turning more to plants as they age. |
Sources:
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