Turtle Tally UK

A yellow-bellied slider with really striking markings. Thanks Johnathan for this sighting 👍

www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #public #greenspace #ponds #lakes #pet #parks #citizenscience #research #rivers

Turtle Tally UK Citizen Science Project | released pet terrapins in the UK Turtle Tally UK citizen science project collecting data on the distribution of released pet terrapins in the UK.

Thank you to Andy for continued support and submissions of sightings each year.

Report sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk

#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces

You can clearly see the ridges (keel) running along the vertebral scutes on the top of the carapace (upper shell) and the distinct contour lines across the skin like topography on a map. They often have serrated marginal scutes (around the rear outer edges of the shell).

A map turtle (often referred to as ‘sawbacks’) out basking at the weekend in a northeast London park.

#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces

A few more females reported out and about. Here’s an adult female yellow-bellied slider found on land wandering recently.

Report sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk

#science #walk #canal #education #sun #pond #nonnative #public #citizenscience #animal #reptile #research #invasive

2/2 They can settle on top, the water is warmer here, be safe away from humans and they are still somewhat camouflaged.

Report sightings of released pet turtles to: www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace

1/2 With the warm weather, the turtles are finding places to soak up the sun. They’ve chosen to bask in this floating vegetation at the waters surface.

#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace #conservation #science #sun #summer

This week we received a few reports of #turtles found wandering, digging or nesting. We’ve seen females finding soft sunny dirt patches but this female has dug a patch of lawn to uncover the soil underneath.

#canal #education #sun #nonnative #public #wildlifephotography #invasive #citizenscience

Turtle Tally UK Citizen Science Project | released pet terrapins in the UK Turtle Tally UK citizen science project collecting data on the distribution of released pet terrapins in the UK.

Thank you to Rochelle for this sighting. This often allows us to gain data in locations that are less urbanised and not by roads or footpaths where there’s higher numbers of people likely to see them.

Check out our website for more information on the project: www.turtletally.co.uk

It’s been great to see the paddleboarding community help with our citizen science research.

#paddle #paddleboardingadventures #turtles #paddleboard #canal #river #lake #education #reptiles #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive

3/3 We ask pet owners to rehome responsibly and seek out appropriate guidance and support if they can no longer care for their pet turtle. June has now been rehomed with our chelonian specialist, Paul Eversfield.

2/3 She measures 34cm length (head to tail) and weighs 8.4Kg, and is a released/escaped former pet. They’re extremely agile and capable of climbing if not kept in secure housing. Unfortunately, we do get annual reports, at Turtle Tally, of these larger turtles (Chinese softshells) in UK waterbodies.

1/3 This is ‘June’, an adult female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) who was found and brought to the NCRW from Higham Marsh RSPB reserve.

#rescue #animalcharity #rehoming #turtles #reptilerescuecentre #turtletally #turtletally🐢 #rspb #pet #citizenscience #rspbhighammarshes

Did you find them?

It’s not always easy to spot them! 👀

Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park

Several turtles are being found walking on land which will likely be females seeking to nest especially with the rain making the soil soft and more easy to dig.

#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park

Thank you for your recent sightings, with the warm sunny weather they’re out basking and taking in the sun.

Report yours sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park

The centre has created a wonderful turtle trail for kids and we have artefacts to share and discuss the fascinating anatomy of these creatures. We’re here tomorrow! Raystede

It’s FREE to come along!

#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday

We’re at Raystede today talking with families about the project and research.

It’s FREE to come along!

Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday #research #citizenscience #wildlife #naturelovers

open.spotify.com/episode/6zLO...

The beautiful red colour on the head and bright markings as hatchlings, they were an eye-catching choice. Many photos sent of this species show faded or lacking the red marking due to age and other factors. So this photo is one of few where it’s bright and clear to see.

You can really see why people bought red-eared sliders as pets before they were listed on the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulations.

Please submit sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk

#education #pond #nonnative #animal #public #pet #invasive #river #lake #park #wildlife #nature #animals

Day 5: Invasive Species Week

Thank you to Local Action Groups (LAGs) 👏🤝🫶with numerous volunteers working on invasive species management.

#education #pond #Rangers #nonnative #animal #public #rehomenotrelease #pets #research #plants #lake #river #invasive

Day 4: Invasive Species Week

Guidance for rescues and veterinary practices on Species of Special Concern.

www.nonnativespecies.org

#education #pond #Rangers #rehomenotrelease #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #herpetology #citizenscience #pet #park #pond #lake

We have to consider their welfare, many will die as a result of being released. Please do not release pets into the wild. It’s not only illegal but does not necessarily give them a better life which many think.

Check out these ID sheets:

www.nonnativespecies.org/non-native-s...

Day 3: Invasive Species Week

Our work focuses on released pet freshwater turtles that are found in waterbodies across the country. These animals are not native here and do not belong in our ponds and lakes.

#education #pond #nonnative #animal #turtle #lake #nature #wildlife #citizenscience #pet

Day 2: Invasive Species Week

Check - Clean - Dry: How to make sure we’re not to spreading invasive species when carrying out activities 👍

www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-d...

#nonnative #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #education #pond #lake #water #sailing #paddleboarding #angling

Day 1: Invasive Species Week. Find out more on the actions we can all take to reduce non-native species introductions to our ecosystems on the NNSS website:

www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-d...

#pond #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #invasivespecies

Family Learning Days - Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare Learn about our work and our animals during the school holidays.

FREE Raystede Family Learning Days: A Terrapin's Tale!

May half term: Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May 2025

Animal talks 11am and 2pm

Complete the trail to discover all about Terry the terrapin’s journey to Raystede.

Book tickets here: www.raystede.org/family-learn...

Banned from import as pets in 1997 (Protection of Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by Regulating Trade). In 2016, all Trachemys scripta subspecies, including the yellow-bellied slider, listed on the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation and cannot be bought, sold or bred. Due to invasive potential.