The Yellow Bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta) at Dixie Plantation

On our trip to the Dixie Plantation in Hollywood, SC we encountered various types of testudines. The most significant organism that I personally handled was Trachemys scripta scripta, or the yellow bellied slider. There were multiple individuals of the same species captured in mesh traps that were baited with a sardine can. These traps were placed along the shoreline and secured to the bank with rope. The specific trap that captured T. s. scripta had multiple individuals of the same species in it as well as another common freshwater species, the Eastern Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina. The specific turtle that I handled was approximately a foot long and was determined to be a female. This assumption was made based off of the individual's size due to the fact that T. s. scripta exhibits sexual dimorphism. The females are typically larger than the males so they could have a larger clutch size or produce larger eggs as a whole. This was also made as a size comparison to the four other T. s. scripta that were found in the trap as well. The size difference is one of the easiest ways to identify the sex of the species. All testudines utilize direct development and the individual that was collected was an adult. The habitat that these turtles were found in seemed to be an old retainment pond. The water was relatively slow moving and there was a lot of weed cover on top of the pond, which included things like duckweed. The traps were placed near heavy debris. The turtles were acting skittish in the traps and this is likely due to the large amount of people as well as the other larger C. serpentina that were occupying the trap with them. Once they were held, the T. s. scripta calmed down and tucked their heads back into their shells. They would occasionally claw with their long claws in a swimming motion. T. s. scripta was a significant herp to found due to its size and being one of the two testudines species to be found. It was a charismatic species that interacted well with the group. It was slow to move back into the pond. This was also one of the first testudines that I have encountered in the wild. 

Pertinent References: 
http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/turtles/yellow-bellied-slider/yellow-bellied_slider.php
Powell, R., Conant, R., & Collins, J.T. Perterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, 4th edition, pg. 218-219. 2016: Houghton Millfin Harcourt Publishing Company.