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Turtles of the Pompeston Creek
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THIS SITE WILL BE USED FOR BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFO. PLEASE SEE WWW.EXPAGE.COM/PAGE/PompestonCreekTurtles FOR DETAILED TURTLE INFO, OR E-MAIL TURTLELADY527@AOL.COM. THANKS!
How it began...
In the summer of 2000, I began observing the turtles that appeared in the Pompeston Creek near my home in East Riverton, and in the lake at Lakeview Memorial Park, which is a part of the creek. Noticing very few turtles smaller than mature adults, I was curious as to why I saw no hatchlings or juveniles. So began my journey into the world of reptiles in the Pompeston Creek.
The objective of this study is to track the various species of turtles in the area, noting the following information for each cataloged specimen:
date of sighting and/or initial examination, species/gender, location, length of carapace(top shell), weight, approximate age, unusual/distinctive markings/coloration, general condition, additional information/anecdotes.
Each turtle examined and catalogued will be given an identification number, which will appear on the carapace in white. A non-toxic oil paint is used - it's waterproof, but will wear off eventually. Hopefully it will last long enough for us to keep track of these guys from season to season. Please check out the site at http://www.expage.com/page/pompestoncreekturtles. If you spot one of the marked turtles, you can learn about that specific animal, and you can be part of the observation team by e-mailing me at:
Turtlelady527@aol.com
Let me know when and where you spotted the turtle, how it looked, etc., and we'll add the info to that turtle's profile.
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MEET THE TURTLES!
L1 This was the first turtle to be released in 2001. "Lucky" is a male, common snapping turtle, Chelydra s. serpentina, approximately 2 years old. When he was released on April 19, 2000, he weighed 400 grams with a carapace length of 4". Lucky was brought to me after his original captor/owner found out how big snapping turtles can get, and realized that he wouldn't be able to keep him.
PC-01 A This specimen was captured on 4/25/01 in the Pompeston Creek. An eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta picta, this adult male was large for his species,with a 7" carapace and weighing 800 grams (1 lb. 4 oz.). He was very healthy, with no signs of disease or parasites. He was released in the same spot from which he was taken, after about a 5 minute exam and photo session.
PC-01 B Captured on 5/1/01 by Austin Aguilar and Charles Griffiths, this red-bellied cooter, Pseudemys rubiventris, was examined right on the creek bank. (Austin and Charles came and got me immediately after they caught the turtle - they put him in a large milk crate in the shallow water at the edge of the creek to avoid handling her too much. Great job, boys!) An average sized specimen, this turtle had a 10 3/4" carapace and weighed 2.1 kilograms (4 lbs. 10 oz.). The plastron, or bottom shell showed signs of parasites - pock marks and deep indentations. Two leeches were found on the skin of the neck and right front leg. After removing the offending beasties and seeing that no lasting damage had occured from them being attached and removed, the turtle was released.
The numbering system will be altered at this point - numbers will be used instead of letters to denote chronology.
LT-01-1 This is a great specimen of an eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina, brought to me by Avi Parey on 6/3/01. With beautiful orange markings, this average sized male weighed about 380 grams, and had a 4 7/8" carapace. In addition, he is missing his left front foot at the first joint. He probably lost it to another turtle at some point. Eastern box turtles are protected in most states in which they occur, and are less common today than in the past. Loss of suitable habitat, vehicular deaths, collection for the pet trade, and increased predation by a growing number of predators (raccoons, opossums, foxes, and domestic dogs among them) on anever-decreasing number of box turtle nests have contributed to the population decline. I checked with the reptile keeper at the zoo, and we have fed "Spike" a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as crickets gut-loaded with calcium. He is due to be released on 6/6/01.
PC-01-3 The first of the nesting snappers! Courtney Fleming came to get me on 6/5/01 just before school. A female had dug a nest in the back yard and was laying eggs. Grandmom Pat and I watched until she was done, and marked the location of the nest. Then came the fun! A large engorged leech was attached to the lower right carapace - I removed it and applied medication to the remaining wound. I then painted on her number. When I attempted to weigh and measure her, she decided to complain a little. However, armed with the knowledge and experience of how to properly handle the animal (and with a pair of really thick gloves!), we got the info: weight about 11 pounds, carapace length about 12". This specimen is probably about 10-15 years old, and though healthy, showed numerous scars and pock marks on the plastron and carapace, from ticks and mites and leeches.
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BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITES FOR SPECIFIC TURTLES!
P.1 http://www.expage.com/page/pompestoncreekturtles
P.2 http://www.expage.com/page/turtlelady
P.3 http://www.expage.com/page/turtleladyagain
P.4 http://www.expage.com/page/turtleladypage4
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