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Turtle Day

These pictures are from the turtle day last Friday (July 11). We saw both snappers and softshells in the lake, but it wasn't until we moved up to the pond that the real fun began! The map turtle, which I knew should be here at TWC, but hadn't been able to get a real good look at, was basking on a log, snapping at passing damselflies. We were also able to watch a snapping turtle swim right into the trap! These pictures are from the marking of that turtle. Thanks so much to all of you who came to help - many hand make light work as they say - and allow me to keep all my fingers! Also, thanks to Pam Feagler for taking all these great pictures!

photos by Pam Feagler

1st turtle of 2008

This is MOW, the first turtle of O8. MOW was found at the back door of the interpretive building.

More turtle recaptures

The Southeast Science Club came on Wednesday to help catch and mark turtles. The students remarked BOW, a painted turtle, and JMN, the snapper pictured below.

Finally, Turtles!

June was a very slow month for turtles at TWC. Even though LOTS of people came for turtle week activities, we only caught 1 snapping turtle all month. Things are picking up now, however. We have spotted LOX swimming near the pier today. I also caught MOX today for the first time this year. She was also swimming near the pier.

Our first baby

This hatchling is the first one captured here during our monitoring. It was swimming near the shore of the pond this afternoon. Hatchlings don't have a very high survival rate, but hopefully, we'll be able to follow this turtle's life for the next few years. It's shell was still soft and pliable - it will harden as the turtle gets older. We've marked this one JKL (Jackal) since it was so ferocious looking!

Baby Turtles

Today a family brought in a baby painted turtle they found swimming at Atwood Lake. He was smaller than a quarter - and very cute (as all baby animals are!). As much as we would have liked to let him go here, it is not allowed. Reptiles in Ohio cannot be releases into the wild in a new location or after they have been held for more than 30 days. This is an important law - turtles that are released in new locations or after time in captivity can carry and transport diseases. We were able to get some great pictures though - they will be perfect for our turtle presentations this summer.

Painted Turtles usually nest mid May to mid July; eggs usually hatch sometime in mid August. Some hatchlings may overwinter in the nest and emerge in the Spring. Painted turtles (as well as many other types of turtle) have temperature-dependent sex determination; that is, turtles that develop at the mid range of temperatures (22-27 degrees Celsius in painted turtles) will be males, turtles that develop at the extremes of this temperature range will be female. The hatchlings mature in 4-5 years for males, and 6-10 years for females. Painted turtles can live for around 20-30 years.