Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Why in news?

• Experts have expressed the concern that the presence of invasive and non-native Red-Eared Slider Turtles in India would lead to the extinction of native species of their own kind.
• India is home to 29 freshwater turtles and tortoise species of the 356 turtle species recognised worldwide and around 80 per cent of them are threatened.

What are Red-Eared Slider Turtles?

• It is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Southern United States and northern Mexico.
• But they are found in other countries as well because they are famous as pets.
• The females of the species are usually larger than the males. They typically live between 20 and 30 years.

Red Eared Slider Turtles presence in India and its impact

• In India, keeping indigenous turtles as pets is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act. But the foreign breeds are not restricted and are kept as pets in many families across India.
• Red Eared Slider Turtles are small and easy-to-maintain species and therefore a hit in the pet market.
• The species breeds faster compared to other local turtle varieties. As their size increases, they no longer fit in small tanks or ponds.
• Hence, the owners release them in the wild or nearby water bodies and once released, they become a threat to the local fauna.
• They are considered as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive non-native species. This is because they grow fast and virtually leave nothing for the native species to eat.
• They eat plants and animals and can finish off a wide range of aquatic species, including fish and rare frogs. They can also transfer diseases and parasites to native reptile species.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Red Slider Turtles:

1. It is endemic to Eastern Himalayan region.

2. It is critically endangered as per IUCN red list.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer