Lizards
Georgia has 56 reptiles and 12 amphibians — the 2026 checklist
The paper divides species recorded in Georgia into confirmed and candidate taxa — this is not a list of new discoveries.
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The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is not native to Georgia. It is a popular pet freshwater turtle that appears in the wild after being released or escaping. The form recorded in Georgia is T. s. elegans. Reproducing populations are known from the vicinities of Tbilisi and Batumi, but that does not mean the species is established across the whole country. The most visible identification mark is the broad red stripe behind the eye. The species is not venomous to people, but it must not be released into the wild.
Identification
How to identify Pond Slider
An introduced water turtle. In Georgia, one of the main marks of T. s. elegans is the broad red stripe behind the eye. Also consider shell shape, webbed feet, and the aquatic setting.
Often confused with
The pond slider is a water turtle with a relatively flat shell. A high, strongly domed shell points more toward the land tortoise (Testudo graeca).
The T. s. elegans form recorded in Georgia has a broad red stripe behind the eye. This is one of the clearest marks, but other traits should also be considered.
It has webbed feet. A water body setting and a relatively flat shell are additional signs typical of a water turtle.
Georgia's native pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) do not have such a broad red stripe behind the eye.
In Georgia, reproducing populations are confirmed in the vicinities of Tbilisi and Batumi. These are two known foci, not a countrywide range.
A pet-like appearance and proximity to settlements are important clues, because the pond slider is introduced in Georgia.
The pond slider is tied to freshwater habitats and may be seen in lakes, ponds, and other water bodies. In Georgia, confirmed reproducing populations are known from the vicinities of Tbilisi and Batumi. Seeing one individual in another water body does not automatically mean an established population is already present there.
Biology
Diet, behavior, and conservation
Diet
The sources used on this profile do not separately describe the diet of pond sliders in Georgia. For that reason, no specific food list is added here as confirmed information.
Behavior
The pond slider is an aquatic species, so seeing it in water or near the bank is expected. Seasonal activity, breeding period, and daily routine for the Georgian populations are not separately described in the sources used on this profile. If you see a pond slider in the wild, do not move it to another lake or pond. Such movement can help create a new introduced population.
Conservation
In Georgia, the pond slider is a conservation issue as an introduced species, not as a native turtle at risk of extinction. Releasing it into the wild increases the risk of creating new populations and does not help native water turtles. This profile does not cite its global IUCN status or Georgian national Red List category.
Yes, but as an introduced species. In Georgia, reproducing populations are confirmed in the vicinities of Tbilisi and Batumi.
No. The pond slider is not native to Georgia. It is a pet freshwater turtle that became established after releases or escapes. Georgia's native water turtles are the pond turtle and the Caspian turtle.
Known reproducing populations in Georgia are in the vicinities of Tbilisi and Batumi. These are two confirmed foci and do not mean the species occurs across all of Georgia.
Look for the broad red stripe behind the eye, a relatively flat shell, and webbed feet. For T. s. elegans in Georgia, the red stripe is an especially useful identification mark.
The pond slider has a broad red stripe behind the eye. Pond and Caspian turtles lack this mark. The land tortoise (Testudo graeca) has a high, domed shell and land-adapted legs.
No. The pond slider is introduced in Georgia. Releasing a pet turtle into a lake or pond can create a new population.
No. The pond slider has no venom and is not considered dangerous to people. It may bite defensively if caught, so do not pick it up.
The sources used on this profile do not separately specify the diet of pond sliders in Georgia. For that reason, no specific food list is added as confirmed.
References
Sources
References
Sources
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Reshetnikov et al. 2023 — Rarely naturalized pet terrapin expansion in Eurasia
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
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