Trachemys callirostris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trachemys callirostris |
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| Conservation status | |
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Not evaluated (IUCN 2.3)
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| Scientific classification | |
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Trachemys
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| Species: |
callirostris
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| Synonyms | |
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List
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The Trachemys callirostris is a type of turtle that belongs to the Emydidae family. You can find these turtles living in the countries of Colombia and Venezuela.
Contents
What Does This Turtle Look Like?
This turtle has a green shell, called a carapace. It also has lighter colors and dark spots mixed in. On its head, you can see yellow lines. There is also a special spot behind its ears that looks a lot like the mark on a pond slider turtle.
Most of these turtles are about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. Some bigger ones can grow to be around 32 centimeters (12.5 inches). The longest ones ever found were about 35 centimeters (13.5 inches) long!
Types of Trachemys callirostris
Scientists group animals into different types. Sometimes, a species can have smaller groups called subspecies. These are like different versions of the same animal that live in different places or have small differences.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Trachemys callirostris turtle:
- Colombian slider (T. c. callirostris)
- Venezuelan slider (T. c. chichiriviche)
For a long time, people thought this turtle was just a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta). But now, it is known as its own unique species!
Where Do These Turtles Live?
You can find Trachemys callirostris turtles in two South American countries: Colombia and Venezuela. Many of them have been seen living in the Magdalena River.
Their Favorite Homes
These turtles like to live in places where the water moves slowly. This includes:
- Slow-moving rivers
- Lakes
- Swamps
- Ponds
- Rafts (areas with floating plants)
They can even live in water that is a little bit salty, which is called brackish water. They love to find areas with lots of floating plants and logs. These are perfect spots for them to climb out of the water and warm up in the sun!
Specific Locations
The Colombian subspecies lives in the northern part of Colombia and the northwest part of Venezuela. You can find them in areas like:
- Antioquia Department (Colombia)
- Atlántico Department (Colombia)
- Bolívar Department (Colombia)
- Córdoba Department (Colombia)
- Cesar Department (Colombia)
- La Guajira Department (Colombia)
- Magdalena Department (Colombia)
- Zulia (Venezuela)
- Falcón (Venezuela)
The Venezuelan subspecies lives in smaller river systems along the coast of Venezuela. They are found near places like:
See also
In Spanish: Hicotea para niños
