Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I know years ago the northern redbelly turtle was threatened, I am just curious if they still are or have they made a come-back? I have old articles that say they used to be in Pa. If anybody has info on these guys feel free to add something.
Thank you
Mike

I believe their status the same. I think they may actually be endangered in some states.

It's amazing that, on occaison, I see them being sold in the fish market's in Chinatown for the soup pot.

http://ecos.fws.gov/species_profile/SpeciesProfile?spcode=C021

This lists the status of the bangsi subspecie.

My brother actually bought a Northern redbelly years ago at a local petstore. So not only was it illegal to sell a reptile native to the area, but they were selling an endangered one! Seriously these stores don't care as long as they make a buck.
On a positive note though I have walked the Heinz Wildlife refuge(Tinicum/ Philadelphia)and actually seen these large turtles laying eggs on the large paths during the early summer months.

Cool!! Must have been a real treat to see that.

Your brother may have bought one from a pet store but how do you think it makes me feel to see them being sold for FOOD in Chinatown in NYC? Endangered in your state and being sold for food in New York City. Just crazy.

Cool!! Must have been a real treat to see that.

Your brother may have bought one from a pet store but how do you think it makes me feel to see them being sold for FOOD in Chinatown in NYC? Endangered in your state and being sold for food in New York City. Just crazy.

-I know that is terrible. I can't believe they get away with that crap. I wonder if authorities can get involved somehow to stop all this.

Not in Maryland.

Katrina

Katrina -- That would explain how they are showing up in the Chinatown food markets. The Diamond back terrapins are harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and perhaps these Red bellys must be being harvested there and sent in along the the DBT's.

It is heart breaking to see these beautiful animals just sitting there awaiting their doom. They are easily two of our most beautiful native species. DBT's are in fact one of my personal favorite turtle species.

Steve

Steve,

Currently redbellies aren't regulated in Maryland. All "aquatic" reptiles are supposed to be under the Fisheries department, as opposed to any endangered or "terrestrial" reptiles that are covered under Wildlife and Heritage in DNR. That means that bog turtles, eastern spinies, and common maps (endangered in MD), box turtles, wood turtles, and spotted turtles (basically terrestrial and species of special concern) are covered under DNR. Everything else is supposed to be under Fisheries, but the only ones that are regulated are terrapins and snapping turtles, because they are used as food items. The redbellies, muds, musks, and painteds in MD fell through the cracks. DNR has been telling us for two years now that they will rewrite thier regs, and I think this year they might actually do it, to include those "aquatic" species that aren't coverd right now.

It IS legal to harvest terrapins in MD during the season, if you have a valid commercial fishing license. Usually only two or three fishermen a year report it, so likely more are doing it but not reporting it.

Katrina

Oh I know it's ridiculous. The numbers that get reported as opposed to what I see getting dumped into the market and I think they have to be 8 inches or under (SCL) to be harvested. You should see the monster females that are all sitting in those vats. It's really bad and it goes so totally unchecked.

I have rehabbed DBT's out of the food market. They have had fungus, shellrot, pinworms all sorts of parasites. I can't understand why anyone would want to eat these poor creatures (granted just about everything but the parasite surface in these creatures as a result of the stress of capture and handling but even you have no compassion for the animals why would want to put all that disgusting disease into your body?)

Steve,

There is no slot limit in MD - only a minimum size for "harvesting", which means that pretty much only females get harvested. We tried to get Fisheries to use a slot size limit to ease presure on the females, but they didn't do it.

Katrina