Trachemys stejnegeri (Central Antillean slider)
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Trachemys stejnegeri, also known as the Central Antillean slider, is a freshwater turtle found in the Caribbean. It is part of the slider group known for its basking behavior and semi-aquatic lifestyle. This species is native to a few islands and shows variation based on its location.
Native To These Regions
Bahamas, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, Puerto Rico (USA), Virgin Islands (USA)Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Trachemys
Species: Trachemys stejnegeri
Common Names
Central Antillean slider
Puerto Rican slider (subspecies)
Hispaniolan slider (subspecies)
Inagua slider (subspecies)
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Identification
Description
This turtle has a domed, oval shell with olive to brown coloring and lighter yellow or orange striping. The skin is also dark with bright yellow lines along the head, neck, and limbs.
Adults can grow between 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) in shell length.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males are generally smaller than females. Males have longer claws on their front feet and longer, thicker tails.
Check more turtles from the Trachemys genus
Native Origin and Distribution
Geographical Range
This species is native to the Greater Antilles. It includes three subspecies found in:
- Puerto Rico (T. s. stejnegeri)
- Hispaniola (T. s. vicina)
- Great Inagua Island, Bahamas (T. s. malonei)
Preferred Habitat
They live in slow-moving freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, swamps, and rivers. They prefer places with soft bottoms, aquatic plants, and basking spots like logs or rocks.
Behavior
Feeding Habits
Omnivorous by nature. They eat plants, insects, small fish, carrion, and aquatic invertebrates. Diet can shift more to plants as they age.
Predators
Eggs and hatchlings are preyed upon by birds, fish, and mammals. Adults are less vulnerable but can be caught by large birds or humans.
Reproduction
Breeding Season
Mating often happens in spring and early summer, though it can vary by island.
Reproductive Method
Females lay several clutches of eggs per year, burying them in soft soil near water. Clutch size ranges from 6 to 20 eggs.
Conservation
Extinction Status
Not globally endangered, but some island populations are under threat and may be considered vulnerable or near threatened.
Threats
Habitat destruction, pollution, introduced predators, and hybridization with other slider species are major concerns.
Conservation Measures
Some islands have protective laws, public education efforts, and restrictions on releasing non-native turtles into the wild.
Economic Importance
They are occasionally kept as pets. In some local areas, they may be hunted for food, though not widely.
Interesting Facts
Each subspecies of Trachemys stejnegeri looks a bit different due to isolation on separate islands.
They are strong swimmers but still rely on land for basking and nesting.
Some have been known to hybridize with red-eared sliders when released into the same habitats.
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.
