Trachemys scripta elegans, not native to MA but a turtle of the Mississippi River valley. There are feral red-eared slider populations in the Muddy River and the Charles, among other places. The smaller turtle in the background is an eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta picta, which is native to MA and probably our most common turtle.
I have counted as many as 15-20 various turtles sunning themselves on a branch leaning into the water. Unfortunately, I have also seen and chased away kids with nets trying to capture them.
There are also snappers that sometimes wander onto the paths around the pond. Most people, except for the occasional kid with a stick, know to stay away from them!
Comments
Adorable!
The nearer turtle is a red-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegans, not native to MA but a turtle of the Mississippi River valley. There are feral red-eared slider populations in the Muddy River and the Charles, among other places. The smaller turtle in the background is an eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta picta, which is native to MA and probably our most common turtle.
Our local painted turtle...
...looks like he has nefarious intentions towards the red-eared slider
OUTLANDER!
N/T
Fascinating!
I love it when people can look at what, to my eye, are two random turtles and tell me so much about them. Very cool.
Turtle pond!
I have counted as many as 15-20 various turtles sunning themselves on a branch leaning into the water. Unfortunately, I have also seen and chased away kids with nets trying to capture them.
There are also snappers that sometimes wander onto the paths around the pond. Most people, except for the occasional kid with a stick, know to stay away from them!
2014-2015
Bruins?