Possible reproduction of the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans (Reptilia: Testudines: Emydidae), in Serbia, under natural conditions

Sjeverno-američka vrsta kornjače, Trachemys scripta elegans, danas je jedna od najpopularnijih kućnih ljubimaca širom Svijeta. Ipak, ako joj se omogući bijeg u prirodna staništa, postaje vrlo velik problem i prijetnja domaćoj barskoj kornjači i generalno vodenim životinjama. U ovom radu, po prvi put, izvještavamo o slučaju potencijalne reprodukcije crvenouhe kornjače u prirodnim uvijetima na području sjeverne i centralne Srbije. U srpnju 2014. Pronašli smo dva tek izlegla mladunca crvenouhe kornjače u blizini odvodnog kanala u selu Borča (okolica Beograda). Sudeći prema njihovoj duljini tijela i generalnim karakteristikama (blatni oklop, zabljeni karapaks), može se ustvrditi da su se tek izlegli vrlo blizo mjesta pronalaska.The North American chelonian, Trachemys scripta elegans, is still among the most popular pets worldwide. However, if released into natural water bodies outside of its natural distribution range it becomes a great nuisance and threat to native freshwater turtles and other aquatic wildlife. We report, for the first time, on the case of possible reproduction of the red-eared sliders under natural conditions in north-central Serbia. In July 2014 we found two red-eared slider hatchlings near the canal in the settlement of Borča near the Serbian capital. Judging by their body sizes and appearance (muddy shells, curved carapace), they had recently hatched near the place where they were found