Pond Slider

Description:

A medium-sized (shell up to 355 mm or 14" in length) aquatic turtle with a low, mildly keeled shell and a red patch on each side of the head. On young animals the top part of the shell (carapace) is often marked with yellow and green streaks. The carapace darkens with age and becomes uniformly black or dark brown on older adults. The head and limbs are dark olive-gray with numerous cream and yellow stripes. A dark horizontal bar runs through the middle of each eye. The bottom part of the shell (plastron) is marked with several large, dark blotches on a yellow background. The rear edge of the carapace is serrated. Females grow to a much larger size than males.

Habitat:

The Sweetwater Wetlands is a water treatment facility, an urban wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom. As a water treatment facility, it is one of the most important facets of the City's Reclaimed Water System. Treated water filters through sediments beneath recharged basins and replenishes the local aquifer. This reclaimed wastewater is recovered by extraction wells during periods of high water demand and distributed for reuse in Tucson's golf courses, parks, schools and other large turf irrigation areas. As an urban wildlife habitat, the Sweetwater Wetlands is a tranquil park where visitors can view native wildlife in an urban setting. This water-rich streamside riparian zone supports a huge variety of wildlife including dragonflies, raccoons, hawks, bobcats and dozens of other species that make the wetlands their full- or part-time home. As an outdoor classroom, the Sweetwater Wetlands provides an environmental, educational experience in natural laboratory settings for teaching about ecology and water resource management. The wetlands helps establish and enhance the wildlife population in harmony with Tucson's urban environment.