Mesoamerican Slider
Trachemys venusta
This species has a total length of about 16 inches. Meso-American slider has a dorsum that ranges from dark brown to Olive green. There are round spots on its carapace wi…
How to identify
This species has a total length of about 16 inches. Meso-American slider has a dorsum that ranges from dark brown to Olive green. There are round spots on its carapace with yellow markings bordered around the spots irregularly on each side of the body. The Trachemys venusta has a dark brown head with green markings running down its neck to its shell or carapace. The legs of this species are dark brown or black with no markings or spots on them. The legs are relatively long in appearance. It is a nocturanl creature.
Range
The Meso-American Slider or Trachemys venusta ranges from The United States to northern part of Argentina.
Habitat
This species inhabits lakes and streams. The Meso-American Slider or Trachemys venusta feeds on tadpoles, insects, crustaceans and fish. The females can lay up to thirty-five eggs per clutch several times. Hatchlings emerge after about sixty-nine to one hundred and twenty-three days.
Variations
Trachemys venusta venusta Trachemys venusta cataspila Trachemys venusta grayi Trachemys venusta iversoni Trachemys venusta panamensis Trachemys venusta uhrigi
Similar species
Big bend slider or Trachemys gaigeae possesses a straight dorsal section of its exoskeleton or shell. The Baja California slider or Trachemys nebulosi has clawed digits, widely colored suborbital patch and hind limbs with a non-elephantine structure. This species is known to possess smooth shells with rounded and straight posterior. The ventral side of the Baja California slider is yellow and has symmetrical black markings. Its head is triangular and smooth skinned. The Jamaican slider or Trachemys terrapen are dark brown with very faint markings. The juveniles of this species are known to have clear markings but this soon disappears after three years. The Nicaraguan slider or Trachemys emolli has many circular markings on its body. The middle of each markings has a dark spot. The carapace of this species ranges from olive green to dark brown with yellow markings.
Name and etymology
Venusta: Latin for charming, graceful, neat.
At a glance
Range
The Meso-American Slider or Trachemys venusta ranges from The United States to northern part of Argentina.
Habitat
This species inhabits lakes and streams. The Meso-American Slider or Trachemys venusta feeds on tadpoles, insects, crustacean…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap