Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pet Craze

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pet Craze

Author: National Trust May 21, 2025 Duration: 13:46

It’s the 1980s and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has burst onto the scene, scoring millions of young fans.  


Half-human, half-turtle fighters Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo originated as comic book characters before spawning phenomenally popular films and cartoons.  

But “turtlemania” also inadvertently sparked a pet craze that ultimately led to an invasive species problem.  

Red-eared terrapins were a particularly popular pet. But many people didn’t realise they would grow from a matchbox-sized hatchling to a dinner-plate sized adult that lives for more than 40 years.  
   
As a result a significant number of freshwater turtles were illegally released in the late 80 and 90s. 

Rosie joins Turtle Tally UK’s Suzie Simpson to uncover the wild origin story of how invasive freshwater turtles became a familiar sight in our waterways.
 
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Production:  
Host: Rosie Holdsworth  
Producer: Michelle Douglass  
Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez  

Contributor:  
Suzie Simpson, Turtle Tally UK 

Image: 
(c) Suzie Simpson / Turtle Tally UK

Discover More: 
Head to Turtle Tally UK citizen science project to discover more about freshwater turtles in the UK and submit your sightings 
https://www.turtletally.co.uk/ 

Find out about the National Trust’s work protecting our waterways and how you can help 
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/climate-change-sustainability/protecting-coasts-and-rivers

The National Trust cares for places so people and nature can thrive. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference. Nature, beauty, history. For everyone, for ever. You can donate to us at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/donate

Follow Wild Tales nature podcast on your favourite podcast app or Youtube @nationaltrustcharity. And join us on Instagram @wildtalesnt.

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea you’d love to hear, contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 

There’s a story waiting in every landscape, a secret history woven into the hedgerows and hidden in the soil. Wild Tales | Nature Podcast, brought to you by the National Trust, goes beyond the guidebook to find those narratives. Each episode is a quiet exploration of the intricate connections between the natural world and our own place within it. You might find yourself listening to the surprising biography of a centuries-old oak tree, learning how coastal erosion reveals forgotten chapters of human history, or understanding the subtle language of birdsong at dawn. This isn’t just a catalog of facts; it’s an immersive audio experience that considers the science of a changing ecosystem alongside the cultural traditions it sustains. We visit specific places-ancient woodlands, rugged coastlines, and working farms-to hear directly from the people who know them best: rangers, historians, ecologists, and local communities. The result is a thoughtful collection of stories that change how you see the world outside your window. Tune into this podcast for a deeper sense of connection, a moment of calm reflection, and a renewed appreciation for the wild and historic places that shape our shared story.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast
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