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Trachemys scripta elegans
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- T. s. elegans – Cameron Co, TX – photo by August ‘Gus’ Rentfro
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- T. s. elegans – Maricopa Co, AZ – photo by Tom Brennan
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Trachemys s. elegans occurs naturally throughout Texas with the exception of the Big Bend Region, along the Pecos River into New Mexico, and in river systems in northeastern New Mexico. There are also numerous isolated populations of this species found in Arizona and California which have been introduced most likely from released pets.
LEGAL STATUS: No listings
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied – 1838)
Genus: Trachemys, Greek – trachys = rough + emys = a freshwater tortoise
Species: scripta, Latin = written, marked — prob. ref. shell pattern
Subspeicies: elegans, Latin = fine, elegant
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962