Trachemys scripta scripta

Yellowbelly Slider

Florida distribution: northern Gulf Coast through panhandle. I have found them as far south as Lake County, well outside of their range, but these could be released pets. Besides pet Yellowbelly and Red-eared Sliders being released, many turtle farms are unintentionally producing hybrids of the two that also make their way into the wild via the pet trade.

Identification: up to 27 cm. Large yellow blotch behind eye and vertical stripes on rump. The rump stripes differentiate it from the Peninsular Cooter. The Chicken Turtle also has the rump stripes, but the Chicken has a single broad stripe on its forelimbs while the Yellowbelly has thin lines. 

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