Norwich has become home to some quite unusual non-native creatures in the past couple of years.

The newest addition to this list is the family of chipmunks who have made the back gardens of Sussex Street in NR3 their homes. 

Norwich Evening News: Most recently it is thought that a family of chipmunks are living in NR3 Most recently it is thought that a family of chipmunks are living in NR3 (Image: Submitted)

The city became home to the biggest owl in 2022 – the European Eagle Owl.  

At one time there was thought to be three of the magnificent birds inside the city walls lovingly called Alfie, Buddy and Luna.  

Alfie was the first to escape his home but it was Buddy who was caught in the old Colman’s factory on March 23 by his owner.

Norwich Evening News: Luna and Buddy later joined Alfie in Norwich Luna and Buddy later joined Alfie in Norwich (Image: Submitted)

Luna has not been seen since, however, over the winter Alfie was spotted in Great Yarmouth on his winter holidays.  

Another invasive species was introduced to the city following the popularity of a 90s TV show.  

Around 30 years ago the city was obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – subsequently, lots of children were given turtles as presents.  

Norwich Evening News: Jake Horne was kayaking with his wife when he spotted a terrapin in the Wensum Jake Horne was kayaking with his wife when he spotted a terrapin in the Wensum (Image: Jake Horne)

As people got bored and the terrapins outgrew their enclosures, they were sometimes released into the Wensum, and now this invasive species can be spotted along the city’s waterways.  

Jake Horne, 29, and his wife Jessica from NR3 were kayaking in May last year when they spotted a terrapin.  

Jake said: “I happened to just look around and I saw the turtle, I couldn’t believe it.” 

But that’s not all that’s lurking in the water – American Signal Crayfish invaded the city’s waterways and were decimating native species. 

Norwich Evening News: The American Signal Crayfish is perhaps the most invasive species in Norwich - destroying the waterways The American Signal Crayfish is perhaps the most invasive species in Norwich - destroying the waterways (Image: Submitted)

Ursula Juta, education and catchment manager at the Norfolk Rivers Trust, describes the invasive crayfish as "highly invasive, very big, very aggressive, and high in number compared to the endangered native, white-clawed crayfish". 

Have you seen any other weird animals in Norwich? Email sophie.skyring@newsquest.co.uk.