Fluffy the alligator snapping turtle would not have survived in the wild, says a research group.
The turtle, believed to have been a released pet, was pulled from Urswick Tarn by parish councillor Denise Chamberlain.
After spending some time at Wild Side vets in Barrow, it was sent to the National Centre for Reptile Welfare in Kent.
Posting an update about Fluffy on Facebook, Turtle Tally UK, a citizen science project initiated in 2018 researching into the issue of released pet terrapins, said: “Although many have commented on how big he looks in the photos, he measured in it at only 17.4 cm and weighs only 1.16 kg.
“When handled, he closed his eyes and didn’t open his mouth so it is a shame he has been portrayed by the media as a ‘beast’ that would ‘eat children’. This was not appropriate.
“We’ve been able to check him over and think he’s a juvenile male. He seems to have what we consider signs of metabolic bone disease.
“The carapace and plastron (top and bottom of the shell) are flexible and soft. We have a smaller and youngster AST at the centre whose shell is much harder and the plastron more flat.
“Unfortunately, if these animals are not provided the correct husbandry i.e. heating, UV lighting and appropriate diet (supplements) they can suffer with this issue.
“We don’t tend to see it often likely due to husbandry standards, education of keepers and awareness being better understood nowadays. With changes to husbandry provision, ‘Fluffy’ will improve with time.
“These animals grow to huge sizes (up to ~100kg) and need large enclosures so are not appropriate to be kept by everyone, even some more experienced keepers.
“This individual would not have survived if it had not been recovered so we certainly do not consider them invasive in the UK.
“Rehome pets responsibility, don’t release into the wild.”
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