Meet the Turtles
Non-Natives
In addition to the 11 native species we are studying in the Santa Fe River and springs, we have documented the occurrence of 4 non-native turtles. These non-native turtles are released pets and their offspring. Although released pets may survive and reproduce quite well in the Santa Fe River, they may cause harm to native turtles by competing for food and basking sites. Some non-native turtles even breed with our native turtles. Non-native turtles should never be released into the Santa Fe River or any other wild area where they do not naturally occur.
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
| ID: red-mark on each side of head carapace length*: female 9.8" (250mm); male 8.6" (219mm) |
| Habitat: river and springs |
| Diet: omnivore |
• native to Mississippi River drainage |
 |
 plastron |
Mesoamerican Slider
Trachemys venusta
| ID:thin red-orange stripe behind eye thin red-orange ocelli on carapace carapace length*: male 9.6" (243 mm) |
| Habitat: river |
| Diet: omnivore |
| • native to Mexico and Central America |
False map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica
| ID: thick yellow line behind eye carapace length**: female 10.6" (269 mm); male 5.9" (150 mm) |
| Habitat: river |
| Diet: omnivore |
| • native to Mississippi River drainage • diurnal • basks frequently |
Mississippi Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii
| ID: thick yellow line forms crescent shape around eye white iris carapace length**: female 9.8" (250mm); male 8.6" (219mm) |
| Habitat: river |
| Diet: omnivore |
| • diurnal • basks frequently |
 |
 plastron |
* Carapace length listed is longest recorded in Santa Fe River
**
Carapace length listed is longest recorded in native range
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