California kingsnake

Adult California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) was found in a park in Győr, next to river Danube. Their settled populations pose a bigger problem in Spain's Canary-islands, where a LIFE-program tries to remove them from natural habitats. Probably winter climate in Hungary is too harsh for them, but due to the fact of their selling figures their occasional occurence, especially near block houses, is expected in the future.

Florida cooter

Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis) was seen at Lake Feneketlen in Budapest. We expect to see more of those species that appaered in the pet shops following the trade ban on Red-eared sliders.

Hermann's tortoise

Wandering Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) individuals were found several times in the Csömör forest, near Lake Naplás. These are probably escaped pets from nearby gardens, where they were released in summer. Their successful overwintering would not surprise us, as they have natural populations in neighbouring Romania, where they can be found on South exposed slopes of Carpathian Mountains.

Kotschy's gecko

Kotschy's gecko (Cyrtopodion kotschyi) was found several times in Budapest, and even in Városliget.

King ratsnake

Adult specimen of King ratsnake (Elaphe carinata) was found at Lake Naplás.

Common snapping turtle

Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) was seen in Lake Naplás, and some years ago a subadult was found in the sewer system of Debrecen.

(photo: MTI)

Chinese softshell turtle

Large individual of Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) was recently caught while fishing at Lázbérc water reservoir.

Painted turtle

Four subspecies of Painted turtle is regularly available in petshops: Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), Midland painted turtle (C. p. marginata), Southern painted turtle (C. p. dorsalis) and Western painted turtle (C. p. belli). In Hungary we consider it as invasive species, with no current records of occurence in the wild.

(photos: Wikipedia)

Missisipi map turtle

Missisipi map turtle (Graptemys kohni) were seen in several water bodies. We expect to see more of those species that appaered in the pet shops following the trade ban on Red-eared sliders.

River cooter

A 30 cm long River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) was caught at Lake Naplás in Budapest. We expect to see more of those species that appaered in the pet shops following the trade ban on Red-eared sliders.

Chinese stripe-necked turtle

Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Ocadia sinensis) was caught at Lake Naplás in Budapest. We expect to see more of those species that appaered in the pet shops following the trade ban on Red-eared sliders.