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

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)

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/customs-air-intelligence-unit-seizes-6850-live-red-eared-sliders-at-tiruchi-airport/article67002498.ece