Tsa Discovers Turtle In Man's Pants At Newark Liberty International Airport

TSA finds live turtle in Pennsylvania man's pants

An interesting discovery by TSA at Newark International Aiport.

You've heard of someone having ants in their pants, but what about a turtle? Well, a Pennsylvania man is accused of hiding a live turtle in the crotch area of his pants and trying to sneak it past Transportation Security Administration officers in New Jersey.

The man, who was not identified by name, tried to sneak the animal past security on Friday, March 7,  at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to a TSA press release.

After he tripped an alarm, the man was given a pat-down, and it was determined that he was concealing something in his groin area. The man pulled a turtle wrapped in a blue towel out of his pants when asked if there was something hidden in them.

Port Authority Police questioned the man and confiscated the turtle.

The man accused of attempting to smuggle the turtle missed his flight and was escorted out of the security checkpoint by police.

Police did not say where the man was planning to travel.

The man told officials that the turtle was a red-ear slider turtle, and officials estimated it to be 5 inches long.

The turtle is "probably the most popular pet aquatic turtle," according to the Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) Animal Hospitals' website.

The turtles are native to the southern United States and are found living in the following areas in the wild, according to the VCA:

• Fresh-water ponds
• Lakes
• Creeks
• Streams

While it is native to the U.S., the turtles are an invasive species in other countries, like our neighbors to the north, Canada.

Their popularity as a pet has made it easy for them to invade every continent except Antarctica, according to the Invasive Species Center. Its introduction to a region is usually due to people releasing their pet turtles into the wild.

"Though small as juveniles, the turtles grow into large adults with complex needs which pet owners may fail to foresee, leading to their unfortunate, and often illegal, release into the wild," stated the center on its website.

The turtle can then wreak havoc on an ecosystem by spreading diseases to native wildlife.

While this story might be a little unhinged, it isn't unheard of for TSA to find people accused of trying to bring stowaway animals onto flights.

In February, TSA in California found 37 giant beetles, worth $1,480, concealed inside packages of Japanese snacks, potato chips and chocolate.

The beetles were around 4 to 5 inches long, some as big as the turtle mentioned above.

At Miami International Airport, TSA officers found two snakes inside of an ironically camofloge-patterned pouch, according to a post it made on Instagram. The scaly discovery made the TSA's list of Top 10 Best Catches of 2024 video.

"There’s nothing ssssssensational about choosing to hide danger noodles in the pants you’re wearing," TSA wrote in its post.

Contributing:Natalie Neysa Alund; USA TODAY

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

Max Augugliaro is the public safety and government watchdog reporter at the Pocono Record. Reach him atMAugugliaro@gannett.com.