Turtle in the Boyne...

Scotty #

Spotted this fella today catching a bit of sun at the entrance to the canal at Oldbridge (near Drogheda). I have reported it to the Invasive Species website but was wondering afterwards is it definitely invasive? Could it just be a wild one? The river here, though quite a few miles inland, is still tidal. Is there any chance he just wandered up?

I would guess about 10" long -/+ 2"

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

You did exactly the right thing. This is another dumped pet - like those in the canals in Dublin.

Birdnuts

They say the can't breed in Ireland but the past 14 months have seen temps many degrees above averge with 2 hot summers and a record mild winter. Certainly makes the possiblity of breeding more likely i would have thought. Even if their not breeding to any extent the fact that they live so long is another issue

dodderangler

There's a few in the dodder aswell. What impact would they have on the local wildlife?

Scotty #

I see on the invasivespeciesireland.com website a species listed as the 'Yellow Bellied Slider'. I did mention in my reporting that there were light coloured lines on the face/neck so this guy fits the description quite well for size and colourings.

There is a flyer on the species here.... http://invasivespeciesireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Trachemys_scripta__Species_Alert.pdf

From that flyer...

Why the concern? The yellow-bellied slider is a non-native species in Ireland. It has been introduced to
many parts of the world primarily through escape or deliberate release as an unwanted pet. While this
species is not believed to be able to successfully reproduce under current climatic conditions in Ireland,
it can persist locally, competing with native species for food and resources. It can also impact on some
nesting bird species by using nests to bask. There is also a risk of disease and parasite transmission to
native species and humans.

I also read that they can live 30 years in the wild.

V Bull

Don't know if they are the same breed of turtle, but they are also in the Phoenix Park, been there for a good few years now...

Half-cocked

V Bull wrote: »

Don't know if they are the same breed of turtle, but they are also in the Phoenix Park, been there for a good few years now...

I think the Phoenix Pk terrapins are Red-eared Terrapins. It's believed that they have been eating all the Little Grebe chicks on that pond:mad:

Birdnuts

Half-cocked wrote: »

I think the Phoenix Pk terrapins are Red-eared Terrapins. It's believed that they have been eating all the Little Grebe chicks on that pond:mad:

Are they related to those big "snappers" in the states??

Capercaille

Half-cocked wrote: »

I think the Phoenix Pk terrapins are Red-eared Terrapins. It's believed that they have been eating all the Little Grebe chicks on that pond:mad:

Why don't they get rid of them???

blindside88

Scotty # wrote: »

I see on the invasivespeciesireland.com website a species listed as the 'Yellow Bellied Slider'. I did mention in my reporting that there were light coloured lines on the face/neck so this guy fits the description quite well for size and colourings.

There is a flyer on the species here.... http://invasivespeciesireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Trachemys_scripta__Species_Alert.pdf

From that flyer...

Why the concern? The yellow-bellied slider is a non-native species in Ireland. It has been introduced to
many parts of the world primarily through escape or deliberate release as an unwanted pet. While this
species is not believed to be able to successfully reproduce under current climatic conditions in Ireland,
it can persist locally, competing with native species for food and resources. It can also impact on some
nesting bird species by using nests to bask. There is also a risk of disease and parasite transmission to
native species and humans.

I also read that they can live 30 years in the wild.

Yellow bellies sliders are often sold here in pet shops, they are often sold as terrapins. I'd imagine they would be terrible for the natural wildlife as they will eat anything