Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.
Trachemys terrapen is a turtle with a native range that is determined as either Jamaica or the Bahamas. There is conflicting information regarding this species native range and introduced range with the scientific literature unsure if it is native to Jamacia and introduced in the Bahamas or vice versa. T. terrapen is regulated in Hawaii, New Mexico, and Oregon. The volume of trade could not be determined. Introductions outside of its native range have been reported in Cuba but there was no further proof if those represented a current established population or not. The history of invasiveness is classified as Data Deficient. Overall climate match with the contiguous United States is Medium. Areas of locally high match were found in peninsular Florida and coastal Texas. The certainty of this assessment is Low due to conflicting information regarding this species’ native range. The overall risk assessment category for Trachemys terrapen is Uncertain.