Terrapin in Peckham Rye Duck Pond

[Red Jumper]

Saw 4 today! After not seeing any for years. 

Two sitting on a coots nest - which I presume they where waiting for egg's? hmmm. 

[fishboy]

We've seen them every time we've been to the pond / lake for 10+ years. I think they haul themselves up on to the coots' nests as they're some of the only places to get out, as the perimeter is like a foot high wall. I've seen a coot pecking at one to try to get it to vacate her nest, to no avail. 

Back in the seventies there was a health scare that terrapins (which were very popular pets then) could pass on diseases to humans, so they were dumped in ponds everywhere. I suspect this may be how these got here - they do live a long time!

Another question is how the huge carp(?) got in there too...

[kbabes]

before we know it there will be turtles everywhere!   Just look at the amount of ring necked parakeets there are since Jimi Hendrix let his pair free in Carnaby St in 1967 ;)

[kbabes]

On 24/04/2023 at 15:46, fishboy said:

We've seen them every time we've been to the pond / lake for 10+ years. I think they haul themselves up on to the coots' nests as they're some of the only places to get out, as the perimeter is like a foot high wall. I've seen a coot pecking at one to try to get it to vacate her nest, to no avail. 

Back in the seventies there was a health scare that terrapins (which were very popular pets then) could pass on diseases to humans, so they were dumped in ponds everywhere. I suspect this may be how these got here - they do live a long time!

Another question is how the huge carp(?) got in there too...

Monks introduced carp into the UK in the 13th century as a food item, mainly to be consumed on Fridays 

[teetomthomas]

Just be careful if you’re eating a pizza near the pond.