RED EARED SLIDERS
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Context
- Thousands of Red eared sliders, 6850, were seized by Customs Air Intelligence unit at Tiruchi airport.
- These were carried by two male passengers who arrived at the Tiruchi international airport from Kuala Lumpur by an Air Asia flight.
- Red eared slider is a species of turtle
Other Details
- These small sized live turtles were hidden in small boxes inside stroller bag of these two passengers.
- Officers of Customs Air Intelligence along with Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials conducted this search and catch operation.
- These live wild turtles were being illicitly imported into India without valid import documents or licence.
- Process is on to deport back the red-eared slider turtles to their country of origin.
Red-Eared Slider
- They are also known by their scientific name Trachemys scripta elegans.
- It is an invasive alien turtle species which is native to south-eastern United States and Mexico; to be specific Mississippi River drainage.
- These are considered one of the world’s 100 worst invasive non-native species
- They are omnivores and eat almost all vegetation.
Turtles in Indian Context
- In general India is home to 29 freshwater turtles and tortoise species of the 356 turtle species.
- As per a study published in journal Reptile and Amphibians conservation and Natural History, around 80 per cent of them are threatened.
Features
- Adult is generally is of medium size (125 to 350mm).
- These are characterised by prominent yellow to red patches on each side of the head.
- Carapace and skin are olive to brown with yellow stripes or spots.
- Females are generally seen larger than males, however males have longer tails.
- They have webbed feet with claws.
- Their Paws are lethal and behaviour is aggressive.
Habitat
- It is a freshwater turtle which is found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, ditches, swamps, lakes and ponds.
- They prefer quiet waters however can tolerate brackish waters too.
- Most suitable range for terrapins is believed between 10°C to 37°C.
- They can also grow in anthropogenic environments like urban polluted river in tropical regions.
- Urban wetlands like Sukhna lake in Chandigarh, temple ponds of Guwahati etc.
Threat to Biodiversity
- It is an alien invasive species hence can pose a threat to native biodiversity.
- They may compete with native turtle species of soft-shell and hard-shell turtles, threatening their survival.
- They may lead to a food insecure condition for native species.
- They may lead to the extinction of native species of their own kind
Conservation Status
- As per IUCN Red List - Least Concerned.
- These are also not mentioned in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Must Read Article:
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/red-eared-slider-turtle-21
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/world-turtle-day
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/tortoises-and-turtles
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PRACTICE QUESTION Invasive species like Red Eared sliders can pose a significance threat to native biodiversity. Please Explain. Discuss the measures which could be taken in this regard. (150 Words) |
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