AR-News: (AU) Feral turtle puts wildlife into shell shock

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

By Duncan Macfarlane
March 11, 2004 
THIS scratching, biting, mongrel of an animal is Australia's latest feral 
menace; the red-eared slider turtle from Mississippi.

With its long claws, aggressive temperament and speed, scientists fear the 
slider could wipe out many species of native turtle and fish. 
As he grappled with one yesterday, scientist Scott O'Keeffe was careful to 
keep his hands away from its head. "They're very bitey," said Mr O'Keeffe, a 
project officer at the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and 
Energy. 
"One this size could snap a pencil in half." 





full story:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8928876%5E30417,
00.html 
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