How red-eared invaders are hurting California’s native turtles. (2019). Retrieved 24 August 2019, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190822165026.htm

Since the summer of 2011, UC Davis undergraduates have been slowly removing invasive red-eared turtles from the campus arboretum in order to examine its impact on the native western pond turtles. Red-eared turtles are commonly kept domestically as pets, and as a consequence are often released into the wild by displeased owners. After being released, red-eared turtles flock to local ponds to compete with native turtle species. The western pond turtle, whose population is already threatened by urbanization and developed agriculture, loses territory and resources to the invasive red-eared species. Once the invasive species is removed, Davis students observed that the native species quickly becomes fatter and expands its population.

This experiment performed by Davis researchers and undergraduates clearly displays the drastic impact of invasive species. The domesticated red-eared species is a menace to Californian ponds. Therefore, more regulations should be placed on the sale of red-eared turtles as pets. I would even go as far as to say that they should be banned as pets within California. Although they initially appear friendly and easy to care for, red-eared turtles quickly become snappy and frustrating with age. As a result, many owners abandon their pet turtles. Since they impact the environment and prove to not be suitable pets, red-eared turtles should not be sold in pet stores nor bred in California.