Cumberland slider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (July 2007) |
| Cumberland slider | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cumberland Turtle
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Trinomial name | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trachemys scripta troostii (Holbrook, 1836) |
The Cumberland Turtle (Trachemys scripta troostii) is a semi aquatic turtle (Terrapin) of the family Emydidae.
Contents |
[edit] Taxonomy
This subspecies of T. scripta was formerly placed in the genus Pseudemys. It is also known as the Cumberland turtle. It also occurs in a different geographic location of the Yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys s. scripta). Intergradation does not occur between these two forms. The generic status of this species has long been a controversial subject.
[edit] Description
The carapace is olive brown with yellow markings. It has two rounded projections on the posterior edge of the shell, and is sightly keeled. The adult carapace is wrinkled and oval shaped. The plastron is hingeless and slightly smaller than the carapace. Each of the bottom side of the marginals has a spot. Skin is brown with an olive to greenish tint with yellow striping. There is a distinct bar behind the eye that can vary from yellow to red and be either thin or wide.
[edit] Behaviour
This turtle is a communal basker. It basks on protrusions out of the water and may bask in stacks or with other species. They are active from April to October.
[edit] Habitat
It is found throughout the Mississippi and Tennessee River drainages, and the southeastern U.S. This species prefers quiet waters with muddy bottoms. Areas like ponds, lakes, and streams with a profusion of aquatic vegetation, organic substrate, and overhanging basking spots are especially favored.
[edit] Reproduction
This turtle breeding takes place in spring, fall, and winter months. The females may go extremely far from the water to nest and are often hit by cars while crossing roads. Females construct a nest, usually at night, in various soil-types. Clutch size is 6-15 eggs with 71 percent of the females producing two clutches per year.
[edit] Diet
This turtle is omnivorous as an adult, but primarily carnivorous as a juvenile. The adults eat algae, fish, tadpoles, crayfish, seeds, plants, aquatic vegetation, insects, worms, and mollusks.
