BC List Status:
Red (Candidates for- Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened status)
The non-native, introduced Slider (also known as “Red-eared Slider”) is commonly misidentified with Western Painted Turtle. Both have similar physiology, colouration, size and lifecycles. Slider has a red “ear” patch located behind the
eye which can fade on older Slider’s, making identification more difficult as they mature. Slider turtles have a yellow plastron with dark circular blotch on each plastron scale. The carapace can have more visible colour patterning and splashes of colour than painted turtles. It is slightly more dome-shaped with a low ridge or keel (lacking in carapaces of mature Western Painted Turtle).
Habitat loss and alteration due to urbanization. Distribution coincides with areas undergoing rapid development causing draining and infilling of wetlands, and hydrological disruption to surface and groundwater.
Alteration of wetland habitat from vegetation and hydrology shifts from climate change.
Population fragmentation and barriers in migration corridors due to roadways. Vehicle mortality impacts (10% annual mortality in eastern U.S) from not appropriately sighted roadways and lack of well monitored exclusion fencing with wildlife passage struct
Disturbance to nesting and basking sites from recreational activities and off-road vehicles.
Inter-species competition, predation and potentially disease transmission from introduced Slider turtle as well as Bullfrog.
Degradation of nesting beds from Invasive plant species (e.g. introduced grass and legume species). Can cause direct • mortality through root penetration into eggs and hatchling entanglement.
Hooking mortality from angling.
Harvesting, collection and non-permitted trapping by the public.
ncreased predation with increase in human settlement near core habitat (free ranging or feral domestic pets).
Cumulative impacts and direct mortality from contaminated runoff and non-point source pollution through all life history phases.
Combined to these threats, natural reproductive and hatchling-to-adult survival rates are low as are dispersal capabilities, reducing capacity to recover from local extirpation events.
Genetic swmaping from interbreeding with illegally imported and released Midland Painted Turtle
Apply conservation and management objectives as set out in “Recovery Strategy for Western Painted Turtle (Pacific
Coast population) (Chrysemys picta bellii) in British Columbia (in draft available from the recovery team chair) and Develop With Care “BMP for Amphibians and Reptiles in Urban and Rural Environments in British Columbia (2014)”. Integrate complementary objectives developed by the South Coast Western Painted Turtle Recovery Project and the Coastal Painted Turtle Project (see sources section for specific documents). Inventory and monitor using standardized methods (Resource Information Standards Committee) # 37 Inventory Methods for Pond-breeding Amphibians and Painted Turtle (Version 2.0) . Other recommended approaches to inventorying and monitoring include: “Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity - Standard Methods for Amphibians”, “Suitability of Amphibians and Reptiles for Translocation” and survey methodologies developed for the “Wetlandkeepers Handbook”.
This species and its regional populations are listed under the Federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) and may be subject to protections and prohibitions under the BC Wildlife Act. Habitat for this species may also be governed under provincial and federal regulations including the Fish Protection Act and Federal Fisheries Act as well as Regional and local municipal bylaws.