Red Eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

This is an exotic turtle and should not be part of the Asian Echo System. Its natural habitat is confined to the Mississippi (Southern USA), however during the booming pet trade, this terrapin was traded in record numbers all over the urbanized world. I will be analyzing its distribution and habitat, surrounding the Bellanwilla Attidiya Sanctuary and Colombo Marsh lands. Several terrapins of the main species (Trachemys Scripta) are present at the Dehiwela Zoological gardens herpetarium.

Trachemys scripta is better known as the Pond Slider is a common species familiar to anyone who owns turtles. The pond slider is a medium sized aquatic turtle. There are three subspecies of sliders native to the United States. One commonly seen subspecies of the pond slider is Trachemys scripta elegans, commonly known as the Red-eared Slider, which has spread to other parts of the world when it was released to the wild as a pet. This is the only sub-species that has a vivid red marking behind the ear.The Bellanwilla Sanctuary is located 1.2km from the Boralesgamuwa junction. It covers a vast area stretching from Attidiya to Ratmalana airport to Dehiwela. These marsh lands connect directly to the Bolgoda lake and is used by Hotels for Eco Tourism. Parts of the Sanctuary was formerly used by paddy cultivators and later abandoned. The government has taken measures to control and preserve it as a Wildlife Sanctuary since.Its broad distribution around the world has been fueled by its vivid coloring patterns and its quick adaptability to foreign habitats. The vivid coloring of this terrapin turtle makes it an excellent garden pet ready for trading in an ever demanding trade. This terrapin is known to carry Salmonella which can easily be transmitted to turtle handlers and children who regularly eat with unwashed hands. These terrapins are also know to breed with the native turtles thus systematically eliminating the native turtles from their habitats. It thrives in warmer climates and is generally found in warn humid lakes, streams, marshes and ponds. This turtles amazing distribution around the world has demonstrated its capability to adapt quickly to its new habitat without much hassle. However its also noted by the scientific community that its foreign distribution could cause habitat destruction for other endemic species in that locality. The Australian law will find you guilty if a Red-Eared slider is found in your possession without government permit. Fines can be as high as $100,000 or five years' jail term.