And a turtle

[redbird]

This is the turtle we saw washed up on the edge of the Harlem River this afternoon (it's probably 4 or 5 inches long (10-12 cm)):

Comments

[centuryplant]

Much as I admire the expression of pedantry in jingle form, all tortoises are turtles. Also, I think that's a Red-eared Slider, which is not a tortoise by any definition. (In New York it's probably a descendant of abandoned pets.)

[19_crows]

I agree with all of this. Red-eared Sliders are native to areas around the Mississippi but are hardy enough to live in most places in the US after they get put in local ponds. I have two of this size living in a 100 gallon tank in our kitchen.

[redbird]

Hardy enough for brackish water as well: that inlet is at the north end of New York Harbor, so it's a tidal estuary. (The Hudson is somewhat tidal a long way north of the city, in fact.)