Trachemys stejnegeri vicina (Dominican slider)
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The Dominican slider, Trachemys stejnegeri vicina, is a freshwater turtle native to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It’s a subspecies of the Central Antillean slider and is known for its adaptability to different aquatic habitats.
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Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Trachemys
Species: Trachemys stejnegeri
Subspecies: Trachemys stejnegeri vicina
Common Names
Dominican slider
Haitian slider
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Identification
Description
The Dominican slider has a dark olive to brown carapace, often patterned with yellow or lighter markings. The plastron is typically yellow with dark spots. Its head and limbs show yellow stripes, and the eyes often have a horizontal bar running through the pupil.
Sexual Dimorphism
Females grow larger, sometimes exceeding 10 inches, while males are smaller and have longer, thicker tails. Males also have longer front claws used during courtship.
Native Origin and Distribution
Geographical Range
This subspecies is found only on the island of Hispaniola, which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Preferred Habitat
Dominican sliders live in freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes. They prefer areas with soft bottoms, aquatic vegetation, and basking spots like logs or rocks.
Behavior
Feeding Habits
They are omnivores. Young sliders eat mostly insects and small aquatic animals, while adults consume more plant matter along with some invertebrates and carrion.
Predators
Natural predators include birds, raccoons, and large fish. Hatchlings are especially vulnerable to predation.
Reproduction
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs during the warmer months, usually between late spring and early summer.
Reproductive Method
Females lay multiple clutches of eggs per season, with each clutch containing 4 to 20 eggs. They bury the eggs in sandy or loose soil near water. Hatchlings emerge after two to three months.
Conservation
Extinction Status
Near threatened.
Threats
Habitat destruction, pollution, and competition from non-native species like the red-eared slider threaten their survival. Human collection for pets and food also poses a risk.
Conservation Measures
Some protected areas exist in their native range. Conservation groups push for habitat protection and better awareness to reduce human impact.
Economic Importance
These turtles are sometimes collected for the local pet trade and occasionally consumed as food. Their presence in natural water bodies also helps control insect populations.
Interesting Facts
Dominican sliders are strong baskers and can often be seen stacked on top of each other on logs.
They can hold their breath underwater for extended periods, sometimes up to 30 minutes while resting.
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.
