''Trachemys callirostris'' is a
turtle
Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked tu ...
in the family
Emydidae
Emydidae (Latin ''emys'' (freshwater tortoise) + Ancient Greek εἶδος (''eîdos'', “appearance, resemblance”)) is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly calle ...
found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Description
The turtle's carapace is green with light colors with dark splotches between them. The head of the turtle includes yellow lines and a splotch behind their ears resembling
pond slider(''Trachemys scripta)''. On average they are 25 cm(10 in.). Larger specimens can are around 32 cm(12.5 in.), but have been as long as 35 cm(13.5 in.).
Taxonomy
There are two
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
recognized:
* Colombian slider (''T. c. callirostris'')
* Venezuelan slider (''T. c. chichiriviche'')
The species was thought to be a subspecies of the
pond slider(''Trachemys scripta)''.
Distribution and habitat
The species is found in Colombia and Venezuela. Many have been found in the
Magdalena River
The Magdalena River ( es, Río Magdalena, ; less commonly ) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of ...
.
They live in slow rivers, lakes, swamps, ponds, and rafts and can tolerate brackish water to some extent. They live in areas with floating vegetation and logs to bask on.
The Colombian subspecies in lives in northern Colombia and Northwest Venezuela near the
Antioquia Department(Colombia),
Atlántico Department(Colombia),
Bolívar Department(Colombia),
Córdoba Department(Colombia),
Cesar Department(Colombia),
La Guajira Department(Colombia),
Magdalena Department(Colombia),
Zulia(Venezuela), and
Falcón(Venezuela). The Venezuelan subspecies is found in small coastal river systems near Rio Tocuyo(Venezuela),
Falcón(Venezuela), Rio Morón(Venezuela), and
Carabobo(Venezuela).
Further reading Infotortuga: Trachemys callirostris, tortuga colombiana
Website in Spanish, fairly accurate translation on Google Translate
References
Trachemys
Turtles of South America
Reptiles of Colombia
Reptiles of Venezuela
Reptiles described in 1856
Taxa named by John Edward Gray
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