Biosecurity warning against keeping introduced invasive red-eared slider turtles

THESE introduced critters look cute but authorities are warning that red-eared slider turtles could become the reptilian equivalent of carp in our waterways and get their owners into strife.

Aggressive red-eared slider turtles from the US and Mexico have been captured in Plympton, but it’s their owners who could face hefty fines or time in jail.

AGGRESSIVE red-eared slider turtles from the US and Mexico have been captured in Plympton, but it’s their owners who could face hefty fines or time in jail.

State biosecurity officers are warning against keeping red-eared slider turtles as pets because the teenage mutant ninja turtle lookalikes could become the reptile equivalent of carp in our waterways.

At Primary Industries and Regions SA, biosecurity officer Lindell Andrews says the pest is “competitively aggressive”.

“They compete for nesting sites, basking sites, food and general habitat,” she said.

“They’re also a predatory turtle, so they eat our frogs our fish and our native turtle.”

Two red-eared slider turtles were found at a Plympton residence last week. Picture: PIRSA.

Last reported in SA in 2015, the recent discovery is being thoroughly investigated.

“Under the Natural Resources Management Act the maximum penalty for having these animals is $50,000 per animal or up to a year in prison,” Ms Andrews said.

“The legislation doesn’t cater for ignorance or lack of knowledge, if you have them, you have them.”

Medium sized, the red-eared slider turtle has a distinctive broad red or orange stripe behind each eye, narrow yellow strips marking the rest of the head and the legs and yellow patterning on the shell. Males have very long claws on their front feet.

Native turtle species found in South Australia including the common snake-necked turtle and the Murray River turtle look similar to this exotic species.

The red-eared slider turtle pulls its head straight back into its shell when threatened, while native species fold their neck sideways into their shell.

Report sightings to the Pest Alert Hotline [phone], PIRSA Biosecurity SA 08 8303 9620 or your local Natural Resources Management Centre.