Reptiles of North Carolina
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NC Records

Trachemys scripta - Pond Slider

Trachemys scripta
Photo: Steve Hall		Trachemys scripta
Taxonomy
Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Subfamily: Deirochelyinae Other Common Name(s): Yellow-bellied Slider
Taxonomic Comments: One of two species that occurs in North American north of Mexico; other members of this genus are widespread in Central and South America (Seidel, 2002). Only Trachemys scripta occurs in North Carolina.
Species Comments: Three subspecies are currently recognized. Trachemys s. scripta and T. s. troosti are both native to North Carolina and T. s. elegans has been widely introduced. Intergrades between scripta and elegans are now found extensively throughout the state.
Identification
Basis for Records: The three subspecies can usually be identified in photographs from their characteristic markings. Old adults whose patterns have darkened may be difficult to separate from similarly melanized individuals of Pseudemys.
Field Marks: See individual subspecies
Morphological Features: The carapaces of Trachemys are longitudinally rugose, notched and serrated posteriorly, and usually keeled (Smith and Seidel, 1986). This contrasts with Chrysemys, where the keel and serrations are absent. The carapaces of adult Pseudemys are also smoother and the posterior margin notched rather than deeply serrated. In specimens that can be closely examined, the ventral surface of the lower jaw is rounded in Trachemys but flat in Pseudemys, and the cutting edge is smooth rather than serrated. Inside the mouth, the upper surface (alveolar) is narrow, and tuberculate denticles are absent on the alveolar surface of the upper jaw in Trachemys but are prominent in Pseudemys.

Males have long claws on the forefeet and longer and thicker tails than in the females.
Technical Reference: Seidel and Smith (1986); Ernst and Lovich (2009)
Online Photos:    Google   iNaturalist   GBIF
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Key Habitat Requirements
Life History and Autecology
General Ecology
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank: S5
Global Rank: G5

Photo Gallery for Trachemys scripta - Pond Slider

17 photos are shown.

Recorded by: Travis McLain
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Anson Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Anson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jessica Tate
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Jessica Tate
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jessica Tate
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Jessica Tate
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Cabarrus Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: Juvenile intergrade next to female scripta scripta. 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Randolph Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Randolph Co.
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