An assemblage of terrapins in the Old Crematorium Pond.

Terrapins are present in many of the ponds in the Wanstead area, but are perhaps most easily seen in this small pond by the old crematorium in the City of London Cemetery

The shell length of these individuals is something like 20cm (8/9in). They persist readily in our climate and are voracious predators; Eggs have been found in some parts of Britain, but offspring have not yet been proved (in 2009).

These are a North American species, sold as pets but frequently released into lakes and ponds when they grow too big (and smelly) - hence the large numbers in Britain now.