The Living Forest (197) : Cumberland Slider

The Living Forest (197) : Cumberland Slider

This reptile, also known as the Cumberland Turtle, is native to eastern and central North America.

The Cumberland Slider has been introduced in many countries all over the world through the pet trade.
They are very popular and cheap pets in the United States, Canada, Japan, and some parts of Europe (United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany).

However, pet owners of this animal often release the reptile into a wild habitat after becoming too big.
Since this species is very hardy and adaptable it could compete for food, nesting and basking sites with native species that occupy a similar ecological biotope !
It may also carry new parasites which can be a real threat for the European pond turtle.

I spotted this specimen in a pond in the middle of a forest and it was almost certainly released from captivity.

Dutch name : Geelwangschildpad
German name : Cumberland Schmuckschildkröte (auch Troosti´s Schmuckschildkröte genannt)
Latin name : Trachemys scripta troosti

Location : the Henneput at Buggenhoutbos (Belgium)

Also remember this similar case