365 Urban Species. #174: Pond Slider

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Photo by cottonmanifesto. Location: Leverett Pond, Olmsted Park, Brookline.

Urban species #174: Pond slider Trachemys scripta

In parts of North America other than New England, the most common turtle is often one or another kind of pond slider. There are numerous subspecies with slightly different markings of red or yellow, occurring south and west of New England, and as far south as South America. Sliders are named for the action they perform when they detect humans or are otherwise disturbed: they slide off their basking site into the water. Pond sliders are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants like water lilies and duckweed, and only occasionally taking small animal prey.

The red-eared slider is the most well-known subspecies of pond slider, and is found in the Mississippi River and westward, as well as in the pet trade. Unfortunately, pond sliders outgrow the small aquaria that they are usually housed in, growing to be nearly twice as big as their relative, the painted turtle. All too often, these pet turtles are dumped into the local waterways--there are now populations of pond sliders in South Africa, Guam, and several Asian countries. There may be negative impacts on native turtles due to these introductions, but this apparently isn't well studied.

There seems to be a fairly healthy population of pond sliders in one section of the Muddy River in Boston. It isn't clear which subspecies it is, as the markings are indistinct. According to one source, introduced sliders do not breed in New England, but each individual may live 30 to 40 years, and have an effect on the ecology of its adopted home.


Painted turtles on right and left. Pond slider in center. Location: Willow Pond, Boston.