Q. I have a pet slider I can no longer keep. Can I release it in a pond?
A.Please do not release your pet Red-eared Slider into a pond, whether it’s a natural pond or a man-made pond in your backyard or elsewhere. They are not native to Canada and are considered by some to be one of the world’s worst invasive species.
Canada has eight native freshwater turtle species and all are at risk of extinction. Threats include loss of habitat, road mortality, nest predation and illegal collection. Another threat is invasive species – including Red-eared Sliders – an invasive species that made its way into the wild because they were put there by people.
As hatchlings, Red-eared sliders are small, about the size of a toonie. No one can deny that they’re cute. But they don’t stay that size. As adults their top shell can be more than 20 centimetres long and they can live for more than 30 years. Their large size and long lifespan make owning a pet turtle a big commitment, a commitment that many people tire of.
It’s the larger turtle that typically wins the race. Larger in size than many of our native freshwater turtles, Red-eared sliders may take over the top basking sites, which are also needed by native turtles to regulate their body temperature. They may also compete with our native turtles for food and habitat. The biggest threat of all may be the introduction of diseases. Hatchlings are often raised in crowded conditions and may pick up viruses or parasites which they can spread to other wildlife if released into the wild.
Please do not release your pet turtle, not even in your backyard pond. Red-eared Sliders can travel overland to nearby water bodies and can introduce diseases to backyard ponds as well, diseases that can be passed onto visiting wildlife and carried to other areas.
If you have a pet Red-eared Slider that you are no longer able to care for:
⦁ Check on social media platforms to see if anyone is looking for a pet turtle.
⦁ Contact the retailer you purchased your turtle from to see if they have a surrender program or if they know of a local organization that takes in unwanted pet turtles.
⦁ Do not release it into the wild.
If you see a Red-eared Slider in the wild, please record your observation at iNaturalist Canada to help track their numbers.
