The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), also known as the penny turtle, is classified as category 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 restricted matter under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed it in the top 100 world's worst invasive species.
Originally from the Mississippi drainage system of the United States, they are now well-established in many parts of the world. There are isolated wild breeding populations in the greater Brisbane region and individuals on the Gold Coast.
How to identify the turtle
This exotic freshwater turtle has:
- a red stripe behind the eyes, which often fades with age
- plain or patterned shells
- long, narrow claws in males.
It is the only turtle in Australia that retracts its head straight back into the shell. Our native turtles wrap their heads around to the side of the shell.
Red-eared sliders grow to around 30 centimetres in length, but hatchlings may only be about the size of a 50 cent piece.
The turtles prefer still, shallow freshwater bodies, but tolerate poor quality and brackish water.
Problems caused by red-eared slider turtles
Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of pests. It is illegal to keep, breed, sell or knowingly harbour any pest animal.
Red-eared slider turtles:
- are potentially very aggressive and may inflict a painful bite when handled
- may outcompete native species for food, basking and nesting sites in our waterways and wetlands
- have the potential to carry diseases, pathogens and parasites, which may be transferable to native animals
- may prey on native species, such as aquatic reptiles, frogs, fish, crustaceans and insects
- may affect water quality of wetlands and waterways by disrupting natural ecology.
Prevention & control
Under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, these turtles are subject to eradication by the State government.
Slider turtle traps and nets are designed to capture turtles, while eliminating any risk of trap or self-induced injury to the turtle. Trapping is often difficult, as slider turtles tend to relocate or bury themselves deep in the sediment of a water body when disturbed.
During the trapping operations, many native turtle species are also caught. They are returned to the water as soon as possible after some sample data– size, sex and general condition – is collected. This valuable information provides an insight into the condition of local native turtle populations.
Ongoing monitoring of known sites and potential habitats is essential for eradication to be successful. Trained personnel conduct visual surveys at sites where red-eared sliders potentially occur. Reports obtained from the community also help in the control of this exotic reptile.
What you can do
Be on the lookout for red-eared sliders and report any suspected sightings immediately. Reports obtained from the community assist in the control of this exotic turtle.
To report a sighting or that you have one to be collected, phone the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or City of Gold Coast on 1300 GOLD COAST (1300 465 326) or 07 5629 5629.
City of Gold Coast acknowledges the assistance of Biosecurity Queensland in preparing this information and supplying photographic images.