General Description: Big Bend Sliders (Trachemys gaigeae) are flat-shelled pond turtles of slow-moving rivers and ponds in the Lower Rio Grande region. Look for an orange spot bordered with black on the side of the head.

Taxonomy: Sliders (Emydidae).

Diet: Preys on crayfish, aquatic insects, worms, tadpoles, and hopefully non-native aquarium fish.

Habitat: Aquatic habitats such as ponds and slow-moving rivers with aquatic vegetation. Bask on rocks and logs.

Range: Don't look for this species around Las Vegas, rather look for them in the Big Bend region of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico.