Turtles that are native to Puerto Rico?

[krichardson]

Before I go on my Google mission I was wondering if any of our herp experts knew of any turtles that are native to the island....I was standing on a bridge earlier and about thirty feet below was a marshy area which was teaming with the buggers but I could'nt tell which type they were...I was told that they are endangered and illegal to collect or disturb.

 

[EricIvins]

Puerto Rican Sliders.........

 

[krichardson]

Puerto Rican Sliders.........

Most of the ones I saw were about twelve inches in diameter and they were pretty active...It was nice to see so many of them swimming freely in a natural setting.

 

[Oddball]

There are 5 FW turtle species in Puerto Rico. However, 2 species are considered extinct. The remaining 3 species (Puerto Rico turtle - Trachemys stejnegeri, snapping turtle, and one other) are considered critically endangered due to excessive exploitation, pollution, loss of habitat, and pressure from introduced species such as caimen (which feed on turtles).

 

[krichardson]

Great information Oddball...Do you know why this caiman was introduced here?

 

[Oddball]

Caiman came under scrutiny of Puerto Rico in the 60's. Since there's never been any major trade or harvesting of caiman in P.R., it's thought that their introduction came about as released captive specimens.

 

[krichardson]

Thanks for the information.

 

[coura]

There are 5 FW turtle species in Puerto Rico. However, 2 species are considered extinct. The remaining 3 species (Puerto Rico turtle - Trachemys stejnegeri, snapping turtle, and one other) are considered critically endangered due to excessive exploitation, pollution, loss of habitat, and pressure from introduced species such as caimen (which feed on turtles).

What are the 2 extinct species? Were they turt species native to Puerto Rico or insular populations of species present in the continent? By the way here in Europe I can get cb puerto rico sliders with some serch. Are they too available on the states?