Red-eared and Yellow-bellied Slider hybrid
Suspected Red-eared and Cumberland Slider hybrid (juvenile)
With indiscriminate releases of captive terrapins, escapees and captive holdings of mixed species, it is no surprise that
many feral and captive terrapins have mixed heritage.
Feral hybrids of Red-eared and Yellow-bellied Sliders. Since these are subspecies of the same
Trachemys scripta species, together with the Cumberland,
it is not surprising that they hybridise. All were formerly included in the
Pseudemys genus.
The larger one with a pink tinge to the plastron looks like a mixed heritage Yellow-bellied Slider protecting
what looks like a juvenile Cooter or even a Map turtle as it has a slight keel. Both appear to have similar red markings on their carapace.
The pond where they live also has both Red-eared and Yellow-bellied Sliders and a Florida Red-bellied Cooter.