Reptile centre looks for ban on terrapins
8:43am Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in News
A RESCUE centre for reptiles has called for a ban on the selling of turtles and terrapins.
The Reptile Rescue Den in Tonge Moor now has more than 100 of the animals and has no room for any more.
Denise Frain, who runs the centre, also said that unwanted pets that are dumped in rivers and canals in Bolton, could threaten native creatures.
The centre has just taken in a common snapping turtle which, she said, if dumped in the wild, could even attack a duckling.
She said: “The snapping turtles can get quite big and they can take your finger off to the bone.
“These are being sold in pet shops and I don’t think they should be.
“Certainly the terrapins will eat tadpoles and small fish.
“If someone placed a snapping turtle in the wild then that could go for a duckling.”
Mrs Frain also criticised some pet shops who do not give correct advice to prospective reptile owners.
She also called on a ban on importing the animals — but backed UK tortoise breeders.
She added: “I want to see a stop to the selling of turtles and terrapins.
“We’re having to turn people away because we can’t take any more.
“Reptiles are being brought over from places like Slovenia.
“They arrive with herpes and other problems and because of the way they are shipped over, a lot of them are dying.
“There are enough breeders in the UK. I fully support tortoise breeders here in the UK.
“Pet shops aren’t telling people how big they grow and how long they live for. Within a year a terrapin will have outgrown its first aquarium.”
The centre is looking for responsible pet owners who are willing to rehome a reptile as a pet.
To contact the centre, call 01204 373361.
