Red-eared Slider Turtle

We finally got some rain today. . . but it was barely enough to wet the ground. It was the first rainfall in 6 weeks. In Deltona we had about 1/3". Meanwhile I continue to heavily irrigate the ponds in Deltona and a wild variety of life has moved into the ponds. Most of the animals are very well camouflaged but with the help of a powerful camera I can usually find them. . .as they all have to come up for air sometime. Above and Below: This is a very large Red-eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the first pond where I keep most of the aquatic plants. The species is semi-aquatic and the most popular pet turtle in the world. It is native only to the southern United States but not peninsular Florida. They get their name from the distinctive red mark around their ears. The "slider" refers to their ability to slide off rocks and logs and into the water quickly.

I imagine there are more of these that I know living in and around the ponds. I've identified two large specimen. It is illegal in Florida to sell any wild type red-eared slider as they interbreed with the native yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).



Below: This red-eared slider lives in the big pond for now along with a native Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) which is much less social and more inclined to bite. . . and however many others I've not yet seen.



Below: This Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) has decided he lives on the back porch. I am often startled by him. They are harmless.



Below: I'm not sure how big this Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris) has grown. He/she is shy. I searched with the long lens of the camera for the head of the snake to try and get some idea of the length. I would guess 6'. At first all I could see was a different pattern in the water. . .



. . .below. . .I finally found the head (left side of image). . .but he/she didn't hang around long for me to get a good shot. The snake slid quickly back into the plants when I got too close. This snake is harmless.



Below: I counted 6 pairs of cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) playing in the water today.



Below: I see few frogs. Despite this Southern Leopard Frog's (Rana sphenocephala utricularia) great camouflage he won't survive long with so many reptiles and birds around.



Below: After the rain the dry lake didn't look much different.



I'm posting some photos of the house and the pets at Phillip's Natural World II.