Trachemys terrapen (Bonnaterre, 1789)

Species and Size Class

Jamaican sliders (Trachemys terrapen) are moderately sized freshwater turtles.

Carapace Length

Males have an average carapace length of 200 millimetres (7.9 in), while females are larger, averaging 270 millimetres (11 in) in carapace length.

Adult Coloration

Adult individuals are dark brown to olive in color with very faint markings.

Juvenile Markings

Juveniles have much clearer markings, which appear to disappear within the first three years of life.

Habitat Types

These freshwater turtles live in most fresh to brackish wetlands across their range, including swamps, streams, ponds, and even ephemeral or temporary ponds.

Native Range

The Jamaican slider occurs across many areas of the island of Jamaica, and on a small number of islands in the Bahamas.

Cat Island Population

In the Bahamas, approximately 60% of the species' total population lives on Cat Island, where it is commonly called the Cat Island slider.

Other Bahamian Populations

Smaller populations are also found on Eleuthera, Andros Island, the Exumas, and New Providence.

Hybrid Populations

The populations on New Providence (and nearby Paradise Island) and Exuma are hybrids between the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) and the Inagua slider (Trachemys stejnegeri malonei) from Great Inagua.

Jamaican Breeding Season

For Jamaican populations of Jamaican slider, the breeding season lasts from February to September.

Bahamian Breeding Season

Bahamian populations likely have a shorter, more restricted breeding season, due to lower availability of freshwater.

Clutch Details

Clutch size observed in populations from both Jamaica and the Bahamas ranges from 3 to 8 eggs, and adults can lay 3 to 4 clutches per year.

Clutch Size Variation

The final clutch laid each year is always smaller than the first one.

Historical Human Use

Historically, these turtles were eaten by the Taíno people who lived in the region.

Current Consumption

They are still consumed in the Bahamas today, though this practice is decreasing.

Local Pet Use

On Cat Island, these turtles are also kept as pets, usually housed in wells, and are affectionately called "Peter" by locals there.