Terrapins.......

[Jelster]

Went down to my local lake with the Mrs on Sunday and we spotted a couple of terrapins! Big ones, about 8-10 inches long, not little things that I kept as a kid. :shrug:

I didn't manage to get any pictures as they startled easily, but they came out of the water to bask in the sunshine. I guess they must have been pets at some time, and somebody let them go in the lake.

I take it that, apart from the odd pike, they probably haven't got much in the way in of predators either.

Have to go back and get some photo's, I think it's pretty cool

Steve

 

[Cobra]

I assume they are "red ears"
There were popular as you probably know with the "ninja turtles" programmes / film.
A lot were released into ponds and rivers a few years ago,
once they started to out grow their small tanks.
So yes they do grow large ( I would say 8-10 was about right) and yes they do bite!
I used to feed mine on (dead) whole mice
As you say maybe the odd pike and possibly the odd heron ( for the smaller ones) would predate them
but not a lot else

 

[Galaxy66]

I expect course fishermen hate them.