Two William & Mary students research terrapin nest predation/destruction.
While crows and raccoons may be the two most common predators of Diamondback Terrapin nests in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region, these two students are studying an unlikely “predator”, the invasive plant species Phragmites australis (common reed). Because of their height creating more shade, these plants could change nest temperatures. Perhaps even more important, is how their aggressive root structure, which can grow more than 1 meter in a single year, invades and destroys nests as an unintentional predator.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
Two more sea turtles have been caught on fishing nets, one who escaped injury and this one with a severed flipper.
Meanwhile, St. Pete Beach is moving to protect animals from entanglement in fishing gear, approving the installation of 14 special receptacles into which angles can discard their tangles of unwanted fishing line.
Sea turtles and dugongs are being tracked from Port Curtis, Queensland, Australia to better learn their movements and behavior.
After a year of rehab, this sea turtle returned to the ocean under a rainbow.
A Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle was returned to the gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
Crime & Punishment
In the first half of July, Costa Rican police have saved two sea turtles from being butchered.
In Spain, a smuggler or poacher abandoned 40 tortoises as law enforcement traces illegal animals. No suspects at this time.
A Miami, FL man was arrested for riding a sea turtle
Feds want to revoke probation of a repeat offender who steals sea turtle eggs.
Education
Wrightsville Beach Museum hosts programs for children, including one in which they learned about sea turtles.
Miscellany
A unique fundraiser brings out 25 unique pieces of turtle art.
Another Sulcata manages to escape his fenced habitat.
Did You Know…
While Diamondback Terrapins are the only species which spend the bulk of their life in brackish water, Painted Turtles and Common Snapping Turtles have been known to visit brackish waters from time to time.
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Photo by Cortney Langley
