Jamaican Slider Turtle
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Jamaican slider |
| Scientific name | Trachemys terrapen |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Testudines |
| Family | Emydidae |
| Genus | Trachemys |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Type | Reptile (freshwater turtle) |
| Diet | Omnivore: turtle sticks, worms, goldfish and vegetables |
| Habitat | Streams, ponds, swamps and salty to fresh wetlands |
| Native range | Jamaica |
| Size | Males about 20 cm; females about 27 cm |
| Colours | Dark brown to olive; young have bolder markings |
The Jamaican slider (Trachemys terrapen) is a freshwater turtle of the family Emydidae found in Jamaica. The natives keep the Jamaican pet turtles classically in wells with affection; they call them ‘Peter’ on the island.
Anatomy
Jamaican slider, of reasonable size, is a freshwater turtle. The average size of a male is 200mm (7.9 in) including carapace length (CL) and the females are bigger in size and measure 270mm (11in) CL. The color of the adults varies from dark brown to olive with mild markings. The markings of the little turtles are more prominent and these gradually fade away during the initial three years.
Habitat
These turtles in the freshwater are native to salty to fresh wetlands all through their range. This consists of streams, ponds, swamps, and impermanent or transient ponds.
As a Pet
Housing
Bear in mind that slider turtle keeps growing to 11 inches; as such the small tank you use for the 4-inch turtle will not suffice later. Most turtles spoil the water quickly, therefore be certain that you maintain it clean. Give the turtles an area for resting as well as swimming. Place plenty of tiny rock pieces at the bottom of your tank for the turtle to indulge in the pleasure of digging.
Water
Supply these turtles with clean water.
Diet
Jamaican slider turtles are omnivorous, even though they consume lesser quantities of meat in their later days. The diet of sliders in custody consists of special food sticks, live goldfish, and dried tubifex worm cubes. Vegetables and lettuce act as supplements.
Health
Observe your turtle’s behavior very carefully and you will learn a lot about its health standards. A sharp coloring and alert eye indicates a healthy slider. On the contrary, a faint skin color and sluggish behavior indicates a sick slider.
Breeding
Jamaican sliders breed from February to September. Each clutch amount to 3 to 8 eggs, turtles lay 3 to 4 clutches a year. When compared to the first clutch the last clutch is much smaller.
Jamaican slider FAQs
Where do Jamaican sliders live?
They live in Jamaica, in streams, ponds, swamps and wetlands that can be fresh or slightly salty.
How big do Jamaican sliders get?
Males are about 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) long and females are bigger, at about 27 centimetres (11 inches).
What do Jamaican sliders eat?
They eat both plants and animals. Pet ones eat turtle food sticks, live goldfish and dried worms, plus vegetables and lettuce. They eat less meat as they get older.
What colour is a Jamaican slider?
Adults are dark brown to olive with mild markings. Babies have bolder markings that fade over the first three years.
How many eggs do Jamaican sliders lay?
They breed from February to September. A female lays 3 to 8 eggs at a time and may lay 3 to 4 clutches a year, with the last clutch smaller than the first.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
