Abstract:
The red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1839) is a native turtle of the American Continent. At present, it establishes in many parts of the world and is considered an invasive species in many countries including Thailand. Therefore, it is necessary to study its reproductive capability and diets for proper management in the future. For the reproductive capability study, 12 pairs of T. s. elegans were observed in captivity at Rangsit agricultural area, Pathum Thani Province, Central Thailand. Results showed that T. s. elegans had the reproductive period from courtship to egg laying during January to August which was different from its native area where the reproductive period was from May to July. In addition, hatching time and hatching rate of T. s. elegans eggs placed in natural condition were 97 days and 13.5 % whereas those in incubation material were 57 days and 92.5 %. For the experiment on diets, T. s. elegans were divided into three groups; adult males, adult females and juveniles, with three turtles in each group. They were tested with natural food, 29 aquatic plant/algae and 25 aquatic animals collected in the study area. It was found that male and female turtles consumed 14 and 20 aquatic plants/algae and 16 and 13 aquatic animals, respectively, while hatchlings consumed only 6 aquatic plants/algae and 13 aquatic animals. Comparing with the snail-eating turtles Malayemys macrocephala (Gray, 1895) which is a native turtle of Thailand, T. s. elegans can consume more variety of food which covers all items of food of M. macrocephala. Results on reproductive capability and diets suggest that T. scripta elegans establishment in natural condition of Thailand is possible and it may compete with native turtles of Thailand