A question for Herpatologist about a foreign turtle species.?

Question

I am highly interested in aquatic turtles here in the Northeast (Rhode Island) for over 15 years. I am highly knowledgeable in the local turtle species. However last summer I seem to stumble accross a full grown male Red Eared Slider at a local pond. I know these are not a native species. I figured someone who had it as a pet let it go. It seemed to be healthy and alert to my presence as is fled into the water, but I caught and released it not really knowing what else to do with it. Last week (Mid March) I was walking around the same pond looking for turtles and what do you know, I stumbled accross the same Red Eared slider who had survived the winter. I have ben looking in the same pond for over 10 years and have never seen this turtle until last summer so I am almost positive it is the same. I again let him go. My final question is this, is this non native turtle going to have a isolated impact on the Eastern Painted Turtles in this pond such as a hybrid breed?

Update:

When I find him again (I'm sure that I will), should I bring him to a local pet store? I would think to say yes because of the cold weather would of have had an impact on a southern bred turtle. But it had no visual effects of this.

BIG-B · Accepted Answer

i think he will be ok , you could have him micro chipped and do a study on him to see how he does in a different environment . i'm sure it gets pretty cold there some times but it get pretty cold here at times too. but there every where they may have migrated who knows i seen a armadillo here in Tennessee about 20 years ago and no one believed me now there all over the place

Anonymous · Answer

Cold weather won't bother a RES. They can be found in colder places than RI. They are invasive species there, though, and will compete with the natives. They are unlikely to interbreed with the painted turtles. I'd suggest removing it from the wild.

Anonymous · Answer

Red-ears have become an established PEST throughout the world, due to ignorant turtle keepers that become bored with them. They frequently post here, "should I let my turtle go?"

The more red-ears you can remove, the better. Eradicate them if you can.

SCOTT M · Answer

You can find a community of experts and near-experts on the following site:

www.repticzone.com

They may even have a forum devoted specifically to the red-eared slider.

Good luck.

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A question for Herpatologist about a foreign turtle species.?

4 Answers