Posted on: 2017-09-01 09:30:37
Have you seen these turtle stories?
They include reminders about sea turtle hatchlings. A CDC warning about salmonella and pet turtles. And thoughts on how understanding turtle hearts may help us protect our own. Plus many more.
Recent Box Turtle News
No new box turtle news, but we’re re-sharing the two stories from earlier this week.
- He welcomes box turtles to his garden: He shares a picture of one enjoying one of his home-grown tomato.
- Snake smuggler also smuggled box turtles: Remember the story about the king cobras in the potato chip cans? The guy who did that also shipped 6 box turtles from the U.S. to Hong Kong. 🙁 He had other protected turtles at his home as well.
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Today’s stories include a few reminders: Turtles can carry salmonella bacteria, and sea turtles are still hatching. Plus rescued sea turtles, a lost Russian tortoise, and more.
Turtles causing a salmonella outbreak! It’s happening in 13 states, and evidence suggests people are getting infected from handling pet turtles. This is a good reminder to always wash your hands after handling your pet, feeding it, or cleaning the habitat. You can also see the CDC outbreak advisory here.
Yes, it’s still turtle season! The mamas are done laying, but the babies are still hatching. If you’re heading to the beach, please remember to take all your stuff back out with you. And no white lights on the beaches at night!
Too many confused hatchlings on Hilton Head: More than in the last 3 seasons combined.
Runways aren’t just for airplanes! Nope, they’re also for baby sea turtles. Volunteers have created smooth sand “runways” to make it easier for hatchlings to get to the sea. They’re also roped off to keep the babies on the path. (North Carolina)
Celebrating National Beach Day with a sea turtle: SeaWorld Orlando celebrated the day with a rehabilitated loggerhead on Daytona Beach. After turning around to say goodbye, the turtle headed out to sea. (includes video)
Lifeguards rescue anyone needing help: Even if it happens to be a sea turtle. This poor thing was caught by fishermen who were afraid to just drop it back into the water (a 30-foot drop!). So lifeguards came to the rescue. (California)
What’s an alligator snapping turtle physical like? Surprisingly similar to a human checkup! The newest resident at Chicago Shedd Aquarium’s “At Home on the Great Lakes” display probably doesn’t want to talk about it though.
Federal funds may help Minnesota’s wood turtles: The Department of the Interior has awarded the state a wildlife grant. Part of the money may go toward a recovery plan for the wood turtles.
Russian tortoise found on Lady’s Island: So far they’ve had no luck finding her owner. (South Carolina)
And we’re still sharing these two, still-relevant stories:
- Follow the Tour de Turtles!: This fun but important project follows sea turtles for 3 months. It allows scientists to understand how they migrate from their nesting grounds to their feeding grounds.
- Help count turtles around northern Vermont & southern Quebec: Memphremagog Conservation Inc is asking residents to report turtle sightings. The census runs from June through October.
Recent International Turtle News
Mapping turtle travels, understanding turtle hearts, and thoughts on protecting olive ridleys. See these stories and more.
Calling all Bancroft-area residents! You can help identify turtle hotspots. Once identified, warning signs will go up to increase awareness. And hopefully reduce turtle deaths, especially from cars. You can also read Kelly Wallace’s letter to the editor of Bancroft this Week here.
80-million year old turtle comes to life: Ok, not really. But the giant sculpture is life-size. And that size is 4-1/2 metres wide! The sculpture is of an archelon turtle, which was the biggest turtle that has ever lived. The museum is having a naming contest too. (Manitoba)
Can turtles help us protect our hearts? Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark and the University of Cambridge in the UK hope so. They’re looking into how turtles prevent heart damage when they wake from hibernation.
Burmese peacock softshell turtle in danger of extinction: Too many people are eating these cute little guys. (Myanmar)
How (and why?!) do you chain a turtle to a tree? Apparently by drilling a hole in its shell. So you can go on holiday!? The poor thing has been rescued. (Germany)
Sea turtle possibly suffocated by oil spill: Officials believe the oil came from the collision of the USS John S. McCain and the Liberian merchant vessel Alnic MC, which had killed 10 US sailors.
Monitoring turtles by satellite: Experts want to know which habitats the Euphrates softshell turtles like best to help protect them. They also want the Euphrates River Valley cultivated in an ecologically conscious way.
Why are so many of the turtles caught in fishing nets olive ridleys? And is there a way to protect them?