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BIODIVERSITY
Red-Eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans

Red-eared slider turtles are invasive in California, and not particularly ecologically beneficial. However, in the company of the native Western Pond Turtle at the Westmont pond, they're a campus favorite!
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Look for the distinctive red bands on either side of the head to identify this species. In the spring, you may see one of the (smaller) males courting one of the (larger) females by spinning around to face her and fluttering his claws delicately on either side of her face.
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Photo Credit: Amanda Sparkman

Photo Credit: Henry Sparkman Zylstra
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