Heh!

article in today's Chron...abt replenishing population
of Calif. native turtle species...incl. the western
pond variety... their decline attributed to many factors..
one of which is the proliferation of a non-native turtle..
bought as pets, released into the wild when they outgrow
their 'cute' factor....this is the ..(wait for it!)
"...dreaded red-eared slider..more aggressive than their
cousins..and tending to hog all the food.."
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consensus seems to agree that "our" terrapins are
the common pet-shop variety..red-eared sliders..
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but don't you just love the adjective "dreaded"...
considering...