Cumberland Slider Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Common Name: Cumberland Slider (Troosts Turtle) Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Genus: Trachemys Species: scripta troostii Museum Location: Reptile: Turtles Case #614 Description: Cumberland slider turtles have vertical yellow bands on the carapace. The carapace (top shell) is rough, with ridges. Dark splotches appear on the margins of both the carapace and plastron (under shell). The fronts of the forelimbs have wide yellow bands. There is a narrow yellow stripe behind the eyes. Female slider turtles are larger than the males. Adults range from 5 - 10 inches in carapace length. Habitat and Range: The Cumberland slider turtle can be found from eastern Kentucky to Georgia and Alabama. Sliders prefer quiet, soft, muddy bottomed waters with suitable basking spots. They are faithful to their home ranges, leaving only to nest or hibernate. Diet: Cumberland sliders eat aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, crawfish, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They also eat plants like arrowhead, water lilies, hyacinths, and duck weed. Feeding occurs under water, usually in the early morning or late afternoon. Behavior: Cumberland sliders enjoy basking on logs, rocks, or stumps near the water. Sliders are often observed in large groups because of their aggregation on limited numbers of basking sites. Sometimes sliders can be seen stacked on top of each other three high. The name "slider" refers to the quick retreat from their basking site into the water when they feel even the slightest bit threatened. Cumberland sliders will sleep at night underwater, usually resting on the bottom. Sometimes they sleep floating on the surface, using their inflated throat as a flotation aid. Sliders become inactive at temperatures below 10°C. They will often hibernate underwater or under banks and hollow stumps. Emergence occurs in early March to late April. Communication: Cumberland sliders communicate with touch and vibrations. They also have a good sense of vision. Reproduction: Cumberland slider breeding takes place from March to early June and, in warmer climates, again from September to November. The nests may be constructed large distances from the water. The female usually lays between 5-18 eggs. Hatching usually takes place in the late summer or early fall but some sliders over winter as eggs and hatch in early spring. Species Status: The Cumberland slider has no protection under the law. They are considered "demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure" (G5, S5) by The Nature Conservancy. Interesting Facts: The Cumberland Slider is the only recorded non-indigenous reptile in the state of Nebraska. By Ashley Jacob