Mississippi map turtle Graptemys kohni (left), Red-eared slider (right) Trachemys scripta
Location: Turtle pond, University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
Year: 1993
Merckslides catalogue number: 04-14964
Comments: This pond was one of the nicest pieces of landscaping on campus, and people flocked there to take their lunches. Ostensibly, student ecologists carried on reseach with the turtles, but I can't believe it really happened. Every three or so years, the pond would be drained and restocked with red-eared sliders ONLY, yet as the months ppassed, the roster of turtle species represented would swell. The end of semesters usually saw a big increase as students surreptitiously released their pets there.