Is there any turtles or terrapins native to britain ?

[N0z]

Hey people im just wondering are there any turtles or terrapins native to Britain ?

Thanks

[Dogghound]

The only turtles (chelonia) native to Britain are marine turtles, all of which are visitors to our sea's. In particular leatherback turtle, Kemp's ridley turtle, green turtle and hawksbill turtle. With the leatherback being the most frequently encountered in our waters. Occassionally other vagrants occur but accidentally. Also terrestrially we have feral populations of red-eared terrapins and european pond terrapins in some areas.

[STYRBJORN]

If by "native" you mean naturally breeding here then no.

[Andrew C]

I am not sure but is it the case that feral Red-eared Terrapins do not successfully breed in the UK? We are seeing released specimens living for a long time giving the illusion there is a self sustaining population at some places?

Regards,
Andrew.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Andrew C

I am not sure but is it the case that feral Red-eared Terrapins do not successfully breed in the UK? We are seeing released specimens living for a long time giving the illusion there is a self sustaining population at some places?

Regards,
Andrew.

Agree; I'm not aware of any proved breeding of Red-eared Terrapins in the UK, but I guess it may have gone undetected, especially in the warmer south. it's generally believed our summers aren't warm enough (certainly this year!)

They do breed in places like Spain though.

[GCN lova]

ive seen red eared terrapins which were happy at a lake in black country park near slough. im not sure if they're were breeding but they were there every year.

[~T~]

No native freshwater turtles/terrapins (or tortoises for that matter) and no record of non natives eggs hatching from what I can find.

[The Woodman]

I've seen small red-eared terrapins basking with larger specimens in the Bridgewater Canal in the Runcorn area and also at Hempstead on the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. These were not hatchling size but larger, I've not had the opportunity to have another look but small terrapins are so well camouflaged until that final moment when they plop into the water.

[N0z]

Thanks for all the info and am i right in saying were trying to remove the non-native species of terrapins in this country ? or are they just leaving it ?

[Dogghound]

Some of the european pond terrapin colonies have successfully bred in Britain in the past. However as mentioned red-eared dont breed here. I am not aware of any unified attempts to eradicate them, they are not in huge numbers and since they (red eared) cant breed here are unlikely to become a huge problem. Although locally they could cause issues such as predating young water birds and amphibians.