Herpetologists have warned that the invasive red-eared slider which was released in natural water bodies by people could turn nasty for the 29 native species of turtles and tortoises in India.
Context
Herpetologists have warned that the invasive red-eared slider which was released in natural water bodies by people could turn nasty for the 29 native species of turtles and tortoises in India.
About the Red-eared slider
- It is an American turtle that is popular as a pet and known as cute.
- Native: It is native to the U.S. and northern Mexico.
- Scientific nomenclature: Trachemys scripta elegans
- Characteristics: It has red stripes around the part of its ears.
- It can slide quickly off any surface into the water.
- This turtle is popular pet due to its small size, easy maintenance, and relatively low cost.
- They grow fast and leave nothing for the native species to eat.
- Trade: The red-eared slider is traded legally.
- In India: The red-eared slider has already affected States such as Karnataka and Gujarat.
- It is threatening to invade the natural water bodies across the Northeast.
- Between August 2018 and June 2019 red-eared sliders were also found in the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ugratara temple pond both in Guwahati.
- Its presence in Northeast is concerned as Northeast home to more than 72% of the turtle and tortoise species in the country, most of them are rare.
Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary
- Deepor Beel is located about 10 km Southwest of Guwahati, Assam.
- It is considered as one of the large and important riverine wetlands in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam.
- It is one of the staging sites for migratory birds in India.
- Deepor Beel is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) sites selected by Birdlife International.
- Deepor Beel has also been designated as the Ramsar Site in November 2002.
*Beel means wetland or large aquatic body in Assamese
Ugratara temple pond
- It is home to the black back softshell turtle (Nilsoonia nigricans).
- It is situated in Guwahati, Assam.
- A good number of rare turtles come in the pond of this 295 years old temple for hatchling.
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