Hispaniolan slider

Hispaniolan slider
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Subfamily:	Deirochelyinae
Genus:	Trachemys
Species:	T. decorata
Binomial name
Trachemys decorata (Barbour & Carr, 1940)
Synonyms
Pseudemys decorata Barbour & Carr, 1940 Pseudemys terrapen decorata — Mertens & Wermuth, 1955 Chrysemys (Trachemys) decorata — McDowell, 1964 Chrysemys terrapen decorata — Obst, 1983 Trachemys decorata — Seidel & Incháustegui, 1984 Trachemys stejnegeri decorata — Iverson, 1985

The Hispaniolan slider (Trachemys decorata) or Haitian slider is a species of turtle in the Emydidae family found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Hispaniolan slider is a freshwater turtle. They can live on land and water, but prefer to be near freshwater. These sliders are not on the endangered list, but are considered vulnerable.

Diet

They have a particular diet that consists of insects (crickets), fish, vegetation, etc. When kept in captivity, they can eat all of the same foods that they would eat normally with the add-ins of turtle pellets, carrots, tomatoes, peeled grapes, and spinach.

Appearance

They are only found on Caribbean islands, but unlike red-eared sliders, they do not have red patches on their heads. They have distinct light and dark stripes on their necks, feet, and tails. The tops of their shells are brown and the bottoms are yellow.

When handled

Whether this creature is found in the wild or in captivity, it has been known to urinate when picked up. This is considered a sign of distress. It also may bite or scratch, but has not been known to cause any severe harm. If found in the wild, the turtle may be more likely to do any one of these.

References

• "World Chelonian Trust - Trachemys Gallery.", World Chelonian Trust - Turtle and Tortoise Conservation and Care. Web. 5 March (2010).