Red eared sliders wild in T.O. - Page 2

Removed_2815 · 02-08-05, 09:57 AM

Short of keeping them yourself (and ensuring that they don't get re-released; i.e. don't put them up for adoption), the only feasible solution with alien species is extermination. Sounds brutal but this is what we do with invasive species. However, I certainly don't recommend anyone doing this themselves as most people cannot readily discriminate between a RES and a Midland Painted. If you capture a RES you could contact a government agency, though I doubt the response would be swift, or you could contact a University department that focuses on Ontario turtles (hint, hint) and they can take care of it for you.
Cheers,
Ryan

Shad0w · 02-08-05, 10:08 AM

Ive seen many midland painted turtles and you are right, from a distance RES could be confused with painted turtles... although I cant see how people could confuse the two close up.

On another note, there is a Super Pet here in Oakville that is selling baby RES's for $50...

I cant believe they are still selling hatchlings with so many unwanted turtles.

Removed_2815 · 02-08-05, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shad0w
although I cant see how people could confuse the two close up.

Oh you'd be surprised what some so-called herpers think they know! We have some pretty crazy misidentifications every year from various species; Smooth Greens that were actually DeKay's, Queen Snakes that were actually Melanistic Garters, Wood Turtles that were actually Blanding's (this was from a member of COSEWIC!).
Ryan

Shad0w · 02-08-05, 10:18 AM

LOL..... Ill take yer word for it

Talking about Blandings... a few years back I caught a large male that was strolling across the road... I love their "smile"

How did I know it was a male? Well.. lets just say when I picked him up off the road, he popped himself at me... LOL

Removed_2815 · 02-08-05, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shad0w
I love their "smile"

Me too...

Cheers,
Ryan

Linds · 02-08-05, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by meow_mix450
umm the toronto zoo has been doing a project with the RES turtles and tracting them down. Well I believe there RES turtles it could be another speices I forget, saw it on TV

Was it snappers? I saw an episode on television where they were tracking snappers over the years, but have never seen anything about RES.

Holy Mackerel · 02-08-05, 10:29 AM

I Love it Ryan, Thats Great!

It's a little motivation for me before I continue working!

Steve

pcw_phoenix · 02-08-05, 11:49 AM

There is a Wild Population In High Park in Toronto that have been established and they are breeding. I have seen eggs and dead hatchlings.

I know this sounds weird..but why can't we all get some large snappers..and release them to where the RES are establishing. I mean snappers do eat baby turtles. But then again, they might consume the native turtles too.

When the population of the Canada goose exploded, the government or some sort of group caught lots of them..and some were killed?!?!? can we do that? i know it's not right to kill any animal..but they are a none native turtle to Canada.

Please correct me if i am wrong.

Thanks

JZ

Cake · 02-08-05, 01:09 PM

Quote:

When the population of the Canada goose exploded, the government or some sort of group caught lots of them..and some were killed?!?!? can we do that?

They were caught by the government and shipped to the US, eastern Canada, and Northern Ontario, in order to subsidize the population for hunters.

Unfortunatly no one is going to hunt RES, so there is no where to get rid of them. Except extermination as Ryan pointed out. What we need to do is prevent the release of anymore, and hope that the one out there now simply die off. Collection for the pet trade is a bad idea as they are just going to end up right back where they are now. Education is our friend on this one.

I too have only heard that they survive the winter and are not able to reproduce due to our short active season.

Tim and Julie B · 02-08-05, 01:33 PM

Well the reverse happens way to much as well where people want a pet turtle and go catch a wild one. I found a local species of turtle (Western Pond) at a petstore someone had dropped it off. The petstore called me to see if I could take it. It was Oct. and to late in the year to release it so it is swimming around in my basement right now. What I am trying to figure out is if it is safe to release it back into the wild. I have no idea how long these people had it.
TB

Shad0w · 02-08-05, 02:01 PM

Hahhaha thats the smile Ryan!
Nice pic

Cake · 02-08-05, 02:42 PM

Quote:

It was Oct. and to late in the year to release it so it is swimming around in my basement right now. What I am trying to figure out is if it is safe to release it back into the wild. I have no idea how long these people had it.

Its a tough question to answer, and there is no way to tell for sure if it would make it in the wild. If in Oct when you got it, if you could have placed it outside in an enclosure to monitor its behaviour, looking for signs that it might be getting ready to hibernate. Since it is swimming around you might be stuck with it. On the bright side, you now have a great speciman to use in educational presentations about our Canadian herpetofauna

. And the effects of releasing other species such as the RES into areas which they do not naturally occur, expaining the adverse effects that invasive species can have.

*i am not advocating the collection of native reptile species. Since it probalby will not survie on its own now, it might as well be put to "work".

Holy Mackerel · 02-08-05, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim and Julie B
What I am trying to figure out is if it is safe to release it back into the wild.TB

Tim,

Isn't there a worry that the animal may not be safe to enter back into the wild? Unfortunatly, it may be from a different population which is genetically different. The population that you will be introducing it to may be susceptile to different diseases, which may be carried from the turlte you have in your possession.

Unfortunatly, it's a difficult situation.

Steve

Holy Mackerel · 02-08-05, 02:49 PM

Just to re-itterate what ryan said,

It is highly unsuggested that people are not exterminating these turtles themselves, out of fear they have made an incorrect identification.

Steve

marisa · 02-08-05, 02:53 PM

Well I'd think that because of the long life span a healthy RES can have, just letting them "die off" would take decades even if not one more was released.

Although harsh, after reading it seems the best bet would be to have any you catch put to sleep if you are not willing to care for them. In a perfect world each would have a loving home but they are in non-native territory and they are already sold in pet stores in huge numbers.

Sad but it would seem death would be the best option.

Marisa