Terrapin Tracks!

Special thanks to Dr. Willem M. Roosenburg Ph.D.of the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University who has provided the following images of terrapin tracks to help us find their location.

(see below...from his paper AN EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROTECT DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN (MALACLEMYS TERRAPIN) NESTS)






Figure 7 Terrapin tracks in wet sand can lead you to recently laid terrapin nests. If you follow the tracks from the water, they often will lead you to the nest. Specifically, look for the tracks where the terrapin returns to the water, in the left hand panel, this is the left track. You can be recognize the direction of the turtle by noticing the “Js” in their tracks. The turtle is moving in the direction to the top of the J. Arrows indicate the direction of the tracks in the photos. In the right photo, the tracks are moving down the page. Typically, nests will be laid above mean high tide.


This is exciting and helpful information!

Also, Dr. Roosenburg provided great designs for turtle exclosures.

Thanks a lot!

Mr. Forde :-)

Turtle Toon #1- By Courteney and Alexa!

Click on the cartoon for a bigger view!

Contact with a Terrapin Researcher!

Hi All,

I was excited to get a neat response from one of our recent cries for help from the Internet. Dr. Russell Burke of Hofstra University has offered his expertise to us as we continue to try and figure out how we can help the Diamondback Terrapin.

Here is the text of his e-mail to us...



"By all means make me a regular contact and post my stuff on your blog. Tell me more about what you're doing and maybe I can help or even visit sometime.

be careful working with the hardware cloth, it can scratch your hands and arms pretty seriously as you cut it. take your time and wear gloves and long sleeves.

Attached are some papers that may be of interest. the Burke et al. paper was co-authored by two high school students in my lab."

Russ

Dr. Russell Burke
Department of Biology
Hofstra University
http://www.people.hofstra.edu/russell_l_burke/

We will be sure to contact him soon with some meaningful questions. We'll keep you posted!

Mr. Forde :-)

Turtle exclosure designs

Hi All,

Here are two turtle exclosures that we designed using some left over fencing materials and wire ties. We are not sure how useful they will be but we rose to the challenge and have two finished products. What do you think?

We were hoping they would help to protect terrapin nests...once we find some at Cove Island Park.

Terrapin Kids

Our First Webisode! - iTerrapin! #1

Our First Terrapin Puzzle!

Click Here to play!

Created by Nyla, Jennell, and Stephanie

We're in the Stamford Times!

Read the article... Clck Here


Mr. F :-)

Collecting Data at SoundWaters

Baby Terrapin at SoundWaters

A terrapin at SoundWatrers!

This terrapin is located in the wetland tank at the SoundWaters facility!

Be sure to visit it!

The terrapin Kids!

Soundwaters visit 11/04

We measured and weighed the terrapins. (The new little ones are CUUUUUUTE!)

We tested the water quality of all of the tanks.

We walked Cove Island Park looking for possible terrapin habitats.

We introduced our blog to the soundwaters team and met a reporter from the Advocate.

It was a great day!

Mr. F :-)

The Terrapin Rap! (#1)

Here is our first attempt at a Terrapin Rap!

There will be more of these to come! Click on the link below!

http://scofieldmms.org/black/pages/terrapin1.mp3

We hope you enjoy it!

David B., Jacob H. and Medium Jim

Terrapin facts #1

Cool facts from Giulio, Will, Eric and Frank

We will update this set of facts every week! peace...out.

Fact #1: The diamondback terrapin is the only species of turtle that lives in brakish water

Fact #2: In the early 1900's the terrapins were a popular gourmet meal.

Fact #3: The diamondback terrap[in have a grey, light brown or black top shell.

Fact #4: Motorboat propellers are responsible for killing many terrapins.

Fact #5: he diamondback terrpin feed on fish, marine snails, crabs, moss, carrion, clams and worms.

Source: Wildlife in CT fact sheet
CT Department of Environmental Protection

Here we are learning about the Terrapin!