Say hello to Leah, our school terrapin!

Leah is a yellow-bellied slider, or Trachemys scripta scripta, a species of turtle that thrives both on land and in water. Originally from the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia, this species is now considered invasive, which means that Leah cannot be rehomed.

Donated to Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys by a former student many years ago, Leah is estimated to be around 25 years old. In the wild, yellow-bellied sliders can live over 30 years, while in captivity, their lifespan can exceed 40 years.

As omnivores, yellow-bellied sliders enjoy a diet of pond plants, vegetables, insects, and fish, although Leah’s favourite food is king prawns. As they grow older, 95% of their food intake comes from plants.

Leah resides peacefully in the school pond, located in a courtyard at the heart of the science classrooms, where she is lovingly cared for by our dedicated science technicians.

Leah will forever be a Woolwich Poly terrapin!