Red Eared Turtles

[britnik]

I saw my first alien reptiles today, three basking red eared turtles.
I'm not sure if they're "On Topic" on WAB.

They were a lot larger than I expected, aprrox 20-25cm along the shell.

The other thing that surprised me was they don't half move fast.
I did manage to sneak up quite close but one sudden move and whoosh plop they're away.

Next time, I'll have the camera ready.

Edit: I think that I meant terrapins.

[aeshna5]

They are certainly on topic here on WAB as they are found in the wild in Britain, even if they are not welcomed by many.

Obviously they shouldn't be here but apparently there's no record of them breeding in the wild in the UK as our summers are not hot enough (maybe that will change in the future?). Having been involved with sites where they occur I don't think they are as bad as some people make out + 1 site has had them for over 30 years + haven't found any negative impacts from them.

Being in London the site does have a large alien community- many of the plants including dominant trees such as Norway Maple + Sycamore,; Grey Squirrels, Common Rat, Canada + Egyptian Geese, occasional Mandarin + formerly Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Parakeets, Marsh Frog, Carp, Mitten Crab, Harlequin Ladybirds, Horse Chestnut Leafminer, etc.

[britnik]

Thanks for the reply Aeshna.

I took the long way round to get the papers this morning and was a little more sneaky while approaching the terrapins. I only spooked one of them. The others weren't to bothered to pose.

[Jim Ford]

It's the Alligator Snapping Turtles you need to be worried about:

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com...owtopic=134926

Jim