turtle

Introduced turtles

Introduced turtles can be highly invasive (red-eared sliders are among the 100 most invasive species in the world). Their presence in waterways can reduce water quality and they can transmit diseases and parasites to native reptiles. The four particular species (below) are included in the Regional Pest Management Plan.

Common name	Scientific name	Management programme
Red-eared slider, yellow-bellied slider, Cumberland slider	Trachemys scripta	Sustained control, which includes but is not limited to, these species
Snake-necked turtle	Chelodina Iongicollis
Murray River turtle	Emydura macquarii
Common box turtle	Terrapene carolina

Why are they a pest?

Adult turtles can be aggressive and are known to attack other wildlife, including waterfowl.
They have the ability to outcompete native wildlife for food and resources, and can significantly alter or damage native habitats.

Where are they found?

Their distribution is varied across the country, with some species more widespread than others.
They can occupy a variety of different environments, including ponds, lakes, rivers, wetlands, sandy soils and pasture.
Nesting habits vary across all four species with red-eared sliders and Murray River turtles typically nesting close to water on sandy or soft soils above flood lines, while snake-necked turtles may travel long distances inland to find suitable open or grassy areas. In contrast, the largely terrestrial common box turtle nests in sunny forest clearings, meadows, or disturbed areas such as gardens, often far from water.

What do they look like?

Red-eared slider turtle

Their shells can grow up to 350mm long with females being larger than males.
Their skin and shells appear leafy green in young turtles, turning olive to brown in mature turtles.
Their heads, legs and tails are green with fine, yellow, irregular lines.
They have can have a bright red or orange stripe behind each eye.

Snake-necked turtle

Can grow up to 290mm long with females being larger than males.
Has very long necks that can be up to 60% of the length of the shell.
The shell is generally black in colour though there may be some brown.

Murray River turtle

Can grow up to 340mm in size with females being larger than males generally.
The shell is typically bronze or olive green.
Adults have a pale stripe extending along the lower jaw to the neck.

Common box turtle

Brownish black shell with radiating yellowish orange lines, spots or blotches.
Can grow up to 200mm in length.
Males typically have red eyes while females have brown eyes.

What are the rules?

Sustained control

Introduced turtles have been included as sustained control pests. Sustained control pests are pests that are well established in the region and preventing the spread is no longer a realistic objective. Management focuses on reducing general impacts of the pest. Landowners/occupiers are responsible for the control of these pest species on their land and the Regional Council may enforce control.

Introduced turtles are known to be present in the wild in some areas of the region, such as the Western Bay of Plenty, but their distribution in captivity (as pets) is uncertain. Their inclusion as sustained control pests reflect their ongoing availability through the pet trade, which presents a continual risk of further accidental or intentional release and spread.

Rule 6(3) of the Regional Pest Management Plan applies to introduced turtles that have escaped or have been deliberately released into the wild. An exemption to the rule to support responsible ownership of turtles will be granted under the Biosecurity Act with conditions to ensure turtles cannot establish in the wild.

It is an offence under the Biosecurity Act and the Animal Welfare Act to release turtles into the wild and in some regions would breach Regional Pest Management Plans. You could face a fine of $5,000.

There are no native freshwater turtles in New Zealand so any turtle you see in the wild is an escaped exotic species. If you see one, take a photo and record it on iNaturalist or Find-A-Pest and report it to the council.

If you have an unwanted pet turtle, do not release it into the wild. Contact your local pet shop, SPCA or a turtle rescue, they may be able to rehome the turtle or provide information on how to appropriately dispose of unwanted turtles.

Images

Red-eared slider turtle. Image credit: DOC