Blanding`s Turtle Headstarting Manual

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Turtles In The Classroom
Blanding’s Turtle Conservation
and Headstarting Care Manual
By!Bryan!Windmiller,!©!Grassroots!Wildlife!Conservation!2015!
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CHAPTER!1:!!
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BACKGROUND!ON!BLANDING’S!TURTLE!
CONSERVATION!PROGRAMS!
Text!by!Bryan!Windmiller!
Design!by!Emilie!Schuler!
©Grassroots!Wildlife!Conservation,!Inc!
August!2015!
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Section!I:!Introduction!
Threatened)Turtles!
Turtles!are!great!survivors.!!The!very!successful!turtle!body!plan,!with!an!armored!top!shell!
(carapace)!and!body!shell!(plastron)!first!evolved!more!than!210!million!years!ago.!!Turtles!
swam!and!walked!on!Earth!long!before!the!first!mammals,!before!the!first!birds,!before!the!first!
flowering!plants,!even!before!the!first!lizards,!snakes!or!crocodiles.!!Around!the!world,!turtles!
have!adapted!to!most!available!habitats,!from!the!open!ocean,!to!torrid!deserts,!from!rainforest!
streams,!to!frigid!northern!lakes.!
!
Yet!now,!turtles!worldwide!are!in!trouble.!!Turtles!
have!not!fared!well!as!we!humans!have!
increasingly!taken!control!of!the!world’s!ecology.!!
The!turtles’!shell!may!protect!it!from!predators,!
but!offers!no!protection!from!cars,!from!the!
draining!of!swamps!and!wetlands,!the!damming!
and!pollution!of!rivers,!and!the!hunting!of!many!
turtle!species!for!food!and!traditional!medicines.!!
Today,!of!the!328!described!turtle!species,!more!
than!half!(54%)!are!threatened!with!extinction,!a!
Fig.)1:)Turtles)often)need)to)cross)roads)to)access)
fragmented)wetlands,)find)a)good)nesting)location,)
proportion!far!higher!than!for!other!groups!of!
familiar!organisms!(birds!13%!threatened!species,! or)search)for)a)mate.))
mammals!25%;!amphibians!41%,!flowering!plants! (Photo)by)Emilie)Schuler))
33%:!Rhodin!et!al.!2010!and!Joppa!et!al.!2010).!!Locally,!in!Massachusetts,!of!the!eight!species!of!
native!freshwater!and!land!turtles,!five!are!listed!as!rare!species!in!need!of!protection.!
One)Threatened)species,)Two)conservation)Projects)
!
!The!Blanding’s!turtle,!Emydoidea)blandingii,!ranks!near!
the!top!of!the!most!threatened!species!of!turtles!in!the!
northeastern!United!States.!!It!is!possible!that!fewer!than!
3,000!individuals!of!this!relatively!large!and!gentle!
freshwater!turtle!species!remain!in!Pennsylvania,!New!
York,!Massachusetts,!New!Hampshire,!and!Maine!
combined.!!In!Massachusetts,!where!most!of!the!
northeastern!Blanding’s!turtles!live,!only!three!
populations!are!currently!known!to!have!50!or!more!
adult!turtles.!They!are:!Oxbow!National!Wildlife!Refuge!
)
and!surrounding!areas!in!Harvard!and!Ayer,!MA!(with!
Fig.)2:)Blanding’s)turtle)at)Great)
perhaps!600!adult!Blanding’s!turtles);!the!upper!Parker!
Meadows)NWR.)(Photo)by)Emilie)Schuler))
River!drainage!in!Georgetown,!Groveland,!and!Boxford,!
MA!(with!perhaps!100!adults),!and!Great!Meadows!National!Wildlife!Refuge!and!surrounding!
areas!in!Concord!and!Carlisle,!MA!(with!perhaps!60!adults,!about!50!of!which!live!at!Great!
Meadows).!!
Many!conservationists!from!the!U.S.!Fish!and!Wildlife!Service!and!Massachusetts!Division!of!
Fisheries!and!Wildlife,!as!well!as!private!nonbprofit!organizations,!such!as!Grassroots!Wildlife!
Conservation,!and!committed!individuals!are!currently!working!to!make!sure!that!Blanding’s!
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turtles!not!only!remain!in!Massachusetts,!but!that!they!recover!some!of!the!abundance!that!this!
species!has!lost!in!recent!decades.!!Your!2015!hatchling!Blanding’s!turtles!are!part!of!one!of!two!
ongoing!conservation!projects:!
Helping)Blanding’s)Turtles)Recover)at)
Great)Meadows)National)Wildlife)Refuge)
Restoring)a)Blanding’s)Turtle)Population)
at)Assabet)River)National)Wildlife)Refuge)
The!U.S.!Fish!and!Wildlife!Service,!working!
together!with!Blanding’s!turtle!researcher,!Brian!
Butler,!decided!to!take!Blanding’s!turtle!
conservation!in!Massachusetts!one!step!further!in!
recent!years!and!rebestablish!a!population!of!
Blanding’s!turtles!that!probably!once!existed!in!
the!great!wetland!habitats!within!Assabet!River!
National!Wildlife!Refuge!in!Sudbury!and!Maynard,!
MA.!!This!refuge,!which!was!recently!established!
in!the!year!2000,!lies!close!to!several!known!small!
Blanding’s!turtle!populations!but!turtle!trapping!
suggested!that!no!Blanding’s!turtles!were!living!in!
ARNWR!at!the!time!of!its!establishment.!
!
That!all!changed!in!2008,!when!biologists!with!the!
U.S.!Fish!and!Wildlife!Service!and!Oxbow!Wetland!
Associates!began!releasing!young!Blanding’s!
turtles!from!the!nearby!Oxbow!National!Wildlife!
Refuge!into!wetland!habitat!at!the!Assabet!River!
National!Wildlife!Refuge.!!Since!2008,!more!than!
400!headstarted!Blanding’s!turtles!and!a!similar!
number!of!hatchlings!that!were!moved!directly!
from!nests!at!Oxbow!without!any!headstarting!
have!been!released!at!ARNWR.!!Recent!trapping!
and!radiotracking!by!U.!of!Georgia!graduate!
student!Jared!Green!indicates!that!many!of!these!
turtles,!particularly!those!that!were!headstarted,!
are!alive!and!thriving!at!ARNWR.!
The!Blanding’s!turtle!population!at!Great!
Meadows!has!declined!by!more!than!55%!since!
the!early!1970’s!from!about!115!adults!to!about!
50!adults!today.!!The!primary!reason!has!been!
that!few!Blanding’s!turtles!have!survived!from!
egg!to!adulthood!in!recent!decades!to!
counterbalance!mortality!among!the!generally!old!
adults.!
Since!2003,!Bryan!Windmiller!and!Grassroots!
Wildlife!Conservation!has!worked!with!the!U.S.!
Fish!and!Wildlife!Service!to!assess!the!status!of!
Blanding’s!turtles!at!Great!Meadows!and!to!help!
this!population!eventually!recover!to!a!stated!goal!
of!at!least!200!adults.!!We!work!to!increase!the!
likelihood!of!young!turtles!surviving!from!egg!to!
adulthood!through:!1)!protecting!nests!from!
predators,!2)!headstarting!young!Blanding’s!
turtles!for!about!nine!months!before!releasing!
them!back!into!Great!Meadows,!3)!enhancing!
habitat!for!juvenile!Blanding’s!at!Great!Meadows,!
and!4)!reintroducing!juveniles!to!the!large!
adjacent!conservation!area!of!Estabrook!Woods!
(Concord!and!Carlisle,!MA).!!The!young!Blanding’s!
turtles!are!headstarted!at!more!than!a!dozen!local!
schools!and!also!at!Zoo!New!England!and!the!New!
England!Aquarium.!
Between!2008!and!2015,!we!released!a!total!of!
347!headstarted!young!Blanding’s!turtles!into!
Great!Meadows.!Through!radiobtracking!more!
than!100!of!those!turtles!after!release,!we!
estimate!that!nest!protection!and!headstarting!
together!will!increase!the!likelihood!of!Blanding’s!
turtles!at!Great!Meadows!surviving!from!egg!to!
adulthood!by!more!than!30bfold!!!!!
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Section!II:!Blanding’s!Turtle!Ecology!and!Natural!History!
Range!
Blanding’s!turtles!occur!in!four!disjunct!areas!in!the!
United!States!and!Canada!(Fig.!3).!!Most!Blanding’s!
turtles!occur!in!a!contiguous!area!that!extends!from!
Nebraska!northeast!around!the!Great!Lakes!to!the!
upper!St.!Lawrence!River!valley!of!New!York!and!
Ontario.!!The!second!largest!grouping!occurs!in!New!
England!from!eastern!Massachusetts!to!southern!
New!Hampshire!and!southern!Maine.!!The!other!
small!disjunct!areas!are!in!New!York’s!lower!
Hudson!River!valley!and!southern!Nova!Scotia.!
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Blanding’s!turtles!are!considered!a!rare!or!
protected!species!in!every!state!and!province!in!
which!they!occur!except!for!Nebraska!(Congdon!and! Fig.)3:)Blanding’s)turtle)current)range)map.)
(Courtesy)of)NY)Dept.)of)Env.)Conservation))
Keinath,!2006).!!The!New!England!and!southern!
New!York!populations!of!Blanding’s!turtles!are!particularly!threatened!and!turtles!within!this!
portion!of!the!species!range!may!be!proposed!as!“Threatened”!under!the!U.S.!Endangered!
Species!Act.!
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Habitat)
Blanding’s!turtles!are!predominately!aquatic!turtles!and!usually!spend!the!great!bulk!of!their!
lives!in!the!water!in!a!variety!of!wetland!types.!!Overall,!Blanding’s!turtle!favor!open!canopy!
wetlands!(without!tree!cover)!with!soft,!mucky!bottoms!and!very!thick!shrub!and!herbaceous!
(softbstemmed)!plant!cover.!!Locally,!we!characteristically!find!adult!Blanding’s!turtles!in!water!
depths!of!1b4!feet!with!younger!turtles!favoring!the!shallower!areas!of!wetlands.!!Buttonbush,!
sweet!gale,!and!cattails!are!all!plants!commonly!associated!with!Blanding’s!turtles!in!
Massachusetts.!!Blanding’s!turtles!are!rarely!found!in!either!open!areas!of!ponds!and!lakes!or!in!
dense!forested!swamps.!!Although!they!can!swim!across!streams!and!rivers!easily,!they!don’t!
typically!dwell!in!flowing!water.!)
Fig.)4:)Blanding’s)turtle)hatchling)emerging)from)
nest.)(Photo)by)Emilie)Schuler))
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Life)Cycle)and)Longevity)
Female!Blanding’s!turtles!in!Massachusetts!
typically!nest!between!the!last!week!of!May!and!the!
end!of!June.!!Females!seek!out!warm!patches!of!
sandy!or!loamy!soils,!often!in!agricultural!fields!on!
in!suburban!yards!and!garden!beds.!!The!average!
clutch!size!is!about!10!eggs!with!a!range!of!6b15.!
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Baby!Blanding’s!turtles!hatch!from!early!August!
into!October!after!an!incubation!period!lasting!
from!two!to!three!months.!!Left!unprotected,!most!
Blanding’s!turtle!nests!are!found!and!destroyed!by!
egg!predators,!especially!raccoons,!skunks,!and!
foxes.!!The!hatchlings!disperse!quickly!after!
hatching,!seeking!out!nearby!wetlands.!!It!is!likely!
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that!relatively!few!survive!their!first!winter!after!hatching.!!Overall,!only!about!1%!of!all!
Blanding’s!turtle!eggs!grow!into!turtles!that!survive!to!reach!sexual!maturity.!!
!
Young!Blanding’s!turtles!grow!quickly!and,!at!Great!Meadows,!weigh!about!30!times!their!hatch!
weight!at!five!years!of!age!(Graham!and!Doyle,!1977).!!Blanding’s!turtles,!however,!are!among!
the!slowest!known!animals!to!reach!adulthood!(sexual!maturity).!!At!Great!Meadows,!typically!
breed!for!the!first!time!at!17b20!years!of!age,!although!some!individuals!in!a!southern!Michigan!
population!first!breed!as!young!as!14!years!old!(Congdon!et!al.!1993).!!Male!Blanding’s!turtles!
mature!a!few!years!earlier!than!females.!
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Blanding’s!turtles!are!very!longblived!animals,!so!much!so!that!it!is!difficult!to!determine!their!
maximum!longevity!in!the!wild!since!very!few!researchers!are!likely!to!study!them!for!many!
decades.!!One!Blanding’s!turtle!captured!in!Minnesota!and!marked!by!previous!researchers!was!
determined!to!be!at!least!77!years!of!age.!!Several!female!Blanding’s!turtles!at!Great!Meadows!
were!marked!as!adults!(thus!>!18!years!of!age)!in!1971!and!are!alive!and!reproductive!at!ages!
that!are!at!least!in!their!early!60’s.!It!is!likely!that!some!individual!Blanding’s!turtles!live!well!
into!their!80’s!or!beyond.!
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Gender)and)Sex)Determination)
Blanding’s!turtle!males!and!females!are!fairly!similar!in!size!and!very!similar!in!markings.!!
Adult!males!are,!on!average,!heavier!and!have!longer!carapaces.!!Adults!males!have!a!noticeably!
more!concave!plastron!than!females!and!a!longer!and!thicker!base!of!the!tail!(the!portion!of!the!
tail!from!the!base!to!the!vent!or!cloaca).!!Males!also!often!have!a!thin!dark!“moustache”!on!the!
edge!of!their!jaw.!
!
In!our!experience,!males!and!
females!can!be!separated!by!
looking!at!the!length!of!the!
base!of!the!tail!by!8b10!years!
of!age.!!Prior!to!this,!young!
Blanding’s!turtles!can!only!be!
sexed!with!a!surgical!
procedure!called!a!
laparoscopy,!in!which!a!tiny!
video!camera!is!inserted!into!
the!turtle’s!abdomen!and!the!
veterinarian!conducting!the!
procedure!guides!the!camera!
to!near!the!kidney!where!
ovaries!can!be!seen!in!females!
and!testes!in!males.!!We!
Figure)5:)Differences)between)male)and)female)spotted)turtles)(the)
regularly!conduct!
same)pattern)is)true)for)Blanding’s)turtles).)The)male)(left))has)a)
laparoscopies!on!headstarted!
slightly)concave)plastron)(bottom)side)of)shell))and)a)thicker)tail.)
The)female)(right))has)a)flat)plastron)and)smaller)tail.))
hatchlings!of!30g!or!larger!in!
)
weight.!
!
As!with!most!species!of!turtles,!the!gender!of!Blanding’s!turtles!is!not!determined!genetically!
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and!is!therefore!not!fixed!at!the!time!in!which!the!embryo!begins!growing!in!the!newly!
deposited!egg.!!!What!matters!in!sex!determination!is!the!temperature!of!the!nest!during!
approximately!the!middle!third!of!the!incubation!period.!!Warmer!nests!produce!mostly!female!
hatchlings!and!cooler!nests!produce!mostly!males.!!In!our!experience!in!Massachusetts,!most!
nests!produce!only!one!gender.!!Veterinarians!and!technicians!at!the!Franklin!Park!Zoo!and!
New!England!Aquarium!have!used!surgical!laparoscopy!to!determine!the!sex!of!most!of!our!
headstarted!Blanding’s!turtles!since!2009.!Our!data!indicate!that!that!the!number!of!“degreeb
days”!above!81!degrees!F.!experienced!by!the!eggs!in!the!middle!third!of!incubation!is!a!fairly!
good!predictor!of!hatchling!gender.!
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Diet)
Blanding’s!turtles!are!primarily!carnivorous,!mostly!catching!and!eating!invertebrates,!such!as!
worms,!snails,!crayfish,!and!insect!larvae.!!Blanding’s!turtles!also!catch!and!eat!frogs,!tadpoles!
and!small!fish,!though!most!fish!consumed!are!probably!scavenged!(Ernst!and!Lovich,!2009).!!!
Researchers!have!also!observed!!Blanding’s!turtles!eating!a!variety!of!wetland!plants,!including!
pondweed!and!coontail.!
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Predators)
Hatchling!Blanding’s!turtles!are!about!the!size!of!a!
halfbdollar!and!have!a!very!soft,!flexible!shell;!they!
are!thus!vulnerable!to!a!wide!range!of!predators!
including!bullfrogs,!garter!snakes,!blue!jays,!
chipmunks,!and!domestic!cats.!!Released!
headstarted!turtles!have!occasionally!been!killed!
by!mammalian!predators,!with!mink!and!otters!
being!the!most!likely!suspects.!!Older!juvenile!and!
adult!Blanding’s!turtles,!however,!have!thick,!
strong!shells!and!can!withdraw!their!head!and!
limbs!entirely!within!their!shell!when!threatened!
by!potential!predators.!!The!long!lifespan!of!this!
species!is!testimony!to!the!effectiveness!of!
Fig.)6:)Blanding’s)turtle)nest)protected)by)a)wood)
Blanding’s!turtles!at!avoiding!predation!once!they! and)mesh)cage,)to)block)predators)from)entering,)
are!large!enough.!!Predators!do!occasionally!catch! and)to)keep)the)hatchlings)safe)when)they)emerge.))
(Photo)by)Emilie)Schuler))
Blanding’s!turtles!before!they!can!withdraw!into!
! their!shells,!as!demonstrated!by!the!occasional!adult!that!is!missing!part!or!all!of!a!limb.!
!
Role)of)Turtles)in)Ecosystems)
Turtles!play!an!important!role!in!the!ecosystems!they!inhabit!throughout!the!World.!!
Freshwater!species,!like!Blanding’s!turtles,!are!often!important!predators!on!many!invertebrate!
species.!!Since!turtles!are!“coldbblooded”!and!do!not!need!to!use!most!of!their!energy!intake!to!
warm!their!bodies,!they!eat!far!less!than!a!similarbsized!mammals.!Turtles!therefore!can!attain!
much!higher!densities!than!warmbblooded!predators,!and!are!often!the!most!abundant!top!
carnivores!of!aquatic!insect!and!arthropods!in!shallow!ponds!and!swamps.!!Locally,!Blanding’s!
turtles!may!help!control!populations!of!some!introduced!snail!species.!!Turtle!eggs!and!
hatchlings!are!likewise!important!food!sources!for!mammalian!predators.!!Beyond!their!
functional!roles!in!natural!ecosystems,!Blanding’s!turtles!are!rare!animals!that!enhance!the!
diversity!and!beauty!of!the!freshwater!wetlands!in!which!they!live.!
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CHAPTER 2:
TURTLE CARE
1
Section I: Safety
Student'and'Caregiver'Safety:"""
To date (2015) we have supervised or assisted with the raising of more than 500 turtle hatchlings
at more than 20 schools in Massachusetts without any human health problems. Hatchling
Blanding’s turtles are safe animals to raise in a classroom setting as long as basic common sense
hygiene practices are followed.
Hand1Washing:""Most"domestic"animals"(ducks,"dogs,"
cats,"chickens,"etc.),"pets,"and"wild"animals"can"be"
sources"of"Salmonella"infection"in"humans,"a"condition"
that"can"cause"severe"gastrointestinal"symptoms"which"
require"medical"treatment."It"is"very'important"that"
students"and"all"turtle"caregivers"be"told"and"frequently"
reminded"to:"Always'wash'your'hands'
immediately'after'you'have'been'in'contact'with'
turtles,'or'with'any'equipment'used'in'keeping'
and'caring'for'the'turtles,'or'with'any'water'that'
has'housed'the'turtles."
"
Turtle'Handling:'''
Blanding’s"turtles"are"very"shy,"by"nature,"and"wild"Blanding’s"turtles"rarely"if"ever"try"to"bite"
when"handled."The"small"turtles"raised"in"classrooms"are"furthermore"incapable"of"inflicting"a"
serious"wound"on"humans,"were"they"to"bite."However,"it"is"very"good"practice"to"remind"
students"that"the"turtles"are"wild"animals"that"do"not"readily"understand"human"motivations."It"
is"good"practice"to"avoid"touching"any"turtle"in"the"face"or"head"and"to"remember"that"your"
classroom"turtle"may"have"a"hard"time"telling"where"
its"food"ends"and"someone’s"finger"begins."
"
Electrical'Safety:"""
Our"standard"turtle"tank"setEup"involves"the"use"of"
electronic"components"in"proximity"to"or"in"the"
water.""Without"proper"safety"precautions,"this"can"
create"an"electrocution"hazard.""
"
• Please'always'read'the'manufacturers'
safety'instructions'regarding'the'use'of'the'
heater,'filter,'and'lights.""
• Please"immediately"discontinue"the"use"of"any"
of"these"items"if"the"cord"or"electrical"
components"appear"damaged.""
• Make"SURE"that"the"heater"you"use"is"
designed"to"be"fully"submersible.""
• Keep"a"“drip"loop”"at"the"outlet"end"of"each"
appliance"cord"(see"illustration"on"right)."
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Turtle'Safety:"""
Though"very"small,"hatchling"Blanding’s"turtles"are"amazingly"robust"animals."Over"the"years,"
about"95%"of"our"hatchlings"have"survived"and"thrived"during"the"months"of"their"
“headstarting”"period."However,"there"are"some"basic"precautions"to"be"aware"of"that"will"help"
maximize"the"chance"that"your"turtles"will"grow"well"and"be"healthy"when"they"are"released"
back"into"the"wild."
"
1) Don’t'Cook'Your'Turtles!"Hatchling"turtles"are"more"sensitive"to"temperature"than"
adults"and"Blanding’s"turtles"can"die"from"even"fairly"brief"exposure"to"water"hotter"
than"90"degrees"F."Remember'to'always'check'the'temperature'of'new'water'
before'placing'your'turtles'into'it!'Make'sure'that'the'temperature'is'below'
85F."We"provide"ideas"in"the"following"sections"on"how"to"reduce"the"risk"of"
exposing"your"turtles"to"dangerously"hot"water."
"
2) Yes,'a'Turtle'CAN'Drown:"
As"you"know"(or"will"learn),"
Blanding’s"turtles"are"air"
breathers."At"room"or"at"
standard"aquarium"
temperatures,"very"young"
juveniles"can"drown"in"less"
than"one"hour."Please"make"
sure"that"your"tank"is"free"
from"objects"that"can"trap"a"
turtle"underwater."Keep"the"
water"shallow"(<3”"deep"in"
Above: Turtles come up for air in their shallow-water
the"deep"end)"for"the"first"3"
tank. Keep the water at this depth for the first 3 months,
months"of"the"headstarting"
then deepen the water gradually.
and"never"more"than"10”"
deep"even"towards"the"end"
of"headstarting."
"
3) Recognize'Signs'of'Illness'and'CALL'US'IMMEDIATELY'if'you'are'concerned:""
Though"uncommon,"sometimes"turtles"do"get"sick."The"following"are"common"signs"
of"illness"among"hatchling"turtles:"
a) White"splotches"or"pustules"on"the"skin"(sign"of"a"common"skin"infection)."
b) Excessive"lethargy,"often"with"unusually"long"period"of"basking"out"of"the"
water"(can"be"a"sign"of"“sunburn”"from"improper"lighting"or"of"an"infection)."
c) Unusually"long"periods"without"eating"or"growth."(Turtles"often"go"for"days,"
even"weeks,"without"eating"and"with"no"ill"effects."But"let"us"know"if"you’re"
turtle"seems"to"show"a"sharp"and"sustained"reduction"in"appetite.)"
d) Soft"Shell"(turtles"that"do"not"get"sufficient"nutrition"and/or"exposure"to"
proper"ultraviolet"lighting"can"develop"a"very"soft"shell."Let"us"know"
immediately"if"you"are"concerned"about"the"softness"of"your"turtle’s"shell)."
"
3
3
Environmental'Safety'(Quarantine'Protocols):"""
Exotic"animals"can"be"the"source"of"devastating"diseases"that"can"wipe"out"populations"of"native"
animals."The"disease"“white"nose"syndrome,”"which"has"killed"more"than"90%"of"bats"in"New"
England,"for"example,"likely"arrived"in"the"USA"on"the"clothes"of"a"tourist"who"brought"fungal"
spores"unintentionally"from"a"bat"cave"in"Europe."
"
To"ensure"that"our"Blanding’s"turtles"are"safe"and"that"they"pose"no"risk"to"the"wild"
environment"into"which"they"will"be"released,"DO'NOT'KEEP'BLANDING’S'TURTLES'IN'THE'
SAME'ROOM'AS'ANY'TURTLE,'FISH,'OR'AMPHIBIAN'SPECIES'NOT'NATIVE'TO'EASTERN'
MASSACHUSETTS."Furthermore,"do"not"allow"your"turtles"to"be"in"contact"with"any"equipment"
or"water"that"may"have"been"in"contact"with"any"such"exotic"species."Please"contact"Bryan"
Windmiller"or"Emilie"Schuler"if"you"have"any"questions"about"this"quarantine"protocol."
Section II: Responsibilities of the Teacher of Headstarting Supervisor
You"and"your"students"or"colleagues"are"caring"for"individuals"of"a"Threatened"species"and"have"
the"opportunity"to"make"a"significant"difference"in"their"local"conservation."We,'at'Grassroots'
Wildlife'Conservation,'and'all'the'project'participants'are'profoundly'grateful'to'you'and'
your'students'and'colleagues'for'your'contribution'to'local'environmental'health'and'
integrity."
"
In"undertaking"this"headstarting"project,"you"are"also"assuming"responsibility"for"the"care"of"
Threatened"animals."We"ask"that"you"take"the"following"specific"responsibilities"seriously:"
"
1) Let'us'(Bryan'and'Emilie)'know'if'you'have'any'questions'or'concerns'before'it'
is'too'late'to'correct'them.'You"can"always"reach"us"by"cell"phone"even"outside"of"
normal"business"hours"if"something"comes"up.""
"
2) Collect'and'record'the'weights'and'lengths'of'your'turtles'at'least'once'monthly'
and'send'those'data'to'us."If"you"are"having"a"hard"time"with"the"Google"Drive"
spreadsheet,"just"email"us"the"data."Your"data"allow"us"to"plan"out"the"purchase"of"
radio"transmitters,"the"release"locations"of"the"turtles,"and"to"ensure"that"all"the"
turtles"are"healthy."
"
3) Don’t'be'too'hard'on'yourselves'if'things'don’t'work'out!"Blanding’s"turtles"are"
not"domestic"pets."Some"of"the"hatchlings"that"we"bring"to"schools"may"have"genetic"
deformities"or"other"health"issues"that"simply"can’t"be"resolved."And,"accidents"
happen"to"all"of"us."If"one"of"your"turtles"dies,"let"us"know"immediately."We"are"often"
able"to"replace"a"classroom"turtle"that"died"with"one"from"another"institution."No"
matter"how"hard"we"try,"most,"but"not"all,"of"these"delightful"baby"turtles"survive"to"
release."
Please review and sign the teacher contract at the end of this document, or find an online
version here.
4
2
1
Section III: Recommended Equipment and Set-Up
The"following"equipment"list"and"instructions"are"intended"for"the"headstarting"of"two"
hatchlings"turtles."Larger"numbers"of"turtles"can"be"raised"in"larger"habitats."Ask"us"for"details."
"
***If"at"all"possible,"please"have"your"tank,"filter,"lights,"etc."up"and"running"BEFORE"your"turtles"
arrive."Thank"you!!***"
Equipment Checklist:
Required Items
❒ Aquarium
❒ Filter and replacement parts
❒ Submersible Heater
❒ UV Light Bulb and Lamp
❒ Electrical Timer
❒ Thermometer
❒ Basking platform
Useful Extras
❒ Turkey baster or siphon
❒ 2-3 gallon bucket
❒ 12” Tupperware tubs for feeding
❒ Water conditioner
(Recommended brand: Stresscoat)
❒ Tank furniture/decorations
Aquarium:"""
Most"classes"choose"201gallon'long'glass'aquariums'to"house"their"turtles."These"have"the"
advantage"of"allowing"students"to"see"the"turtles"from"the"side"(and"the"turtles"can"also"see"
what’s"going"on"around"them).""Plastic"tubs"work"very"well"also"and"are"lighter"and"cheaper"but"
obviously"only"allow"viewing"of"the"turtles"from"directly"above.""No"top"is"necessary"for"the"
tank,"though"a"screen"top"allows"you"to"place"the"light"fixture"on"top"of"the"tank.""If"using"a"
screen,"it"is"best"to"affix"the"light"fixture"to"the"screen"by"drilling"holes"in"the"metal"fixture"and"
wiring"the"fixture"to"the"screen."
"
We"recommend"tilting"the"aquarium"by"resting"one"end"of"it"on"a"length"of"wood"or"some"text"
books"(see"Figure"1).""The"deep"end"of"the"tank"should"initially"be"filled"with"water"to"a"depth"of"
about"3"inches.""After"the"turtles"have"been"growing"for"a"couple"of"months,"the"water"depth"can"
be"increased"so"that"the"deep"end"is"about"6E8”"deep"by"the"end"of"the"school"year.""Turtles"
should"be"able"to"easily"raise"their"heads"above"the"surface"in"the"shallow"end"while"resting"on"
the"bottom.""(Small"hatchlings"can"quickly"drown"if"trapped"in"deep"water.)""""
"
Filter:'(marked'(A)'in'Figure'1)'"""
❒
❒
❒
❒
Canister"Filter"
3"Replacement"sponge"preEfilters"
Activated"charcoal"
Pipe"cleaners"
5
3
Figure 1: Sample Tank set up
A: Filter
B: Thermometer
C: Heater
D: Vegetation
E: Basking Platform
F: UV Light
G: Wood to prop
up tank
We"continue"to"have"good"luck"with"the"Zoomed'501'Canister'Filter.""Buy"extra"sponge"preE
filters"and"replace"them"every"couple"of"months"or"so.""Instead"of"buying"Zoomed’s"slightly"
pricey"and"somewhat"too"large"replacement"charcoal"bags,"buy"a"container"of"activated"
charcoal"and"make"your"own"permeable"bags"of"charcoal"by"wrapping"the"charcoal"either"in"an"
old"stocking,"cheesecloth,"or"plastic"window"screening."Charcoal"bags"usually"need"replacing"
every"2"months"or"so.""Pipe"cleaners"are"very"useful"to"clean"out"the"filter"tubing"on"occoasion."
"
The"filter"intake"should"be"placed"in"the"deep"end"of"the"tank"(see"Figure"1).""If"using"the"
Zoomed"Canister"Filter,"rotate"the"holes"in"the"water"outlet"pipe"so"that"the"water"jets"roll"down"
the"side"of"the"aquarium,"thus"minimizing"noise."
"
Filter'Troubleshooting:'
"
● Did"you"fill"the"entire"filter"chamber"with"water"before"trying"to"start"it?""(This"is"needed"
to"prime"the"filter.)"
● Are"there"chunks"of"dirt"blocking"the"intake"or"outlet"pipes?""Clean"them"with"pipe"
cleaners."
● Is"the"charcoal"bag"too"large"and"thus"restricting"flow"in"the"filter"chamber?""If"you"
bought"a"commercial"charcoal"bag"replacement,"they"are"often"a"bit"too"big.""Try"
snipping"the"corner"of"the"bag"with"scissors,"pouring"out"a"bit"of"the"charcoal,"and"
6
4
resealing"the"bag"with"a"twist"tie."
Is"there"dirt"blocking"the"impeller"(the"propeller"that"works"the"pump)?""To"find"the"
impeller,"you’ll"need"to"pop"off"a"plastic"cap"located"under"the"top"of"the"filter"by"a"small"
piece"of"plastic"tubing.""To"remove"the"impeller,"you"can"slide"a"fingernail"under"one"of"
the"blades"or"use"tweezers.""Rinse"out"the"impeller"chamber"and"replace"the"impeller"
and"cap."
"
Thermometer'(B):'''
●
Don’t"use"one"of"those"stickEon"strip"thermometers.""A"good"one"that"is"inexpensive"and"easy"to"
read"is"the"Sybon"Digital"Submersible"Thermometer.''
Remember:"Your"thermometer"is"a"critical"tool"in"making"sure"that"you"do"not"overheat"your"
turtles."Check"your"thermometer"against"other"ones"if"possible.'
'
Submersible'Water'Heater'(C):''
Water Temperature:
You"will"need"a"submersible"heater"and"since"the"
The water temperature
should be kept between
water"depth"is"shallow"you’ll"need"a"rather"overE
78 and 82 degrees,
gunned"heater"to"make"up"for"all"the"heat"loss"to"the"
preferably between 80
air"(the"wattage"of"the"heaters"we"use"are"rated"for"a"
and 82 degrees. Cooler
much"higher"volume"of"water"than"we"
water will not harm the
use).""Aquarium"heater"models"change"frequently,"
turtles but will likely slow
so"contact"GWC"is"you"would"like"our"latest"
their growth. DO NOT
recommendations."""
LET THE WATER
"
TEMPERATURE RISE
The"heater"should"be"kept"in"the"deep"end"of"the"
ABOVE 85 DEGREES
tank"(see"diagram).""NEVER'ALLOW'THE'HEATER'
AT
ANY POINT AS THIS
TO'RUN'WITHOUT'WATER'COVERING'IT.'
MAY
HARM THE
Carefully"read"manufacturer"instructions"for"heater"
TURTLES.
set"up.""
"
Set"your"aquarium"heater"initially"to"75"degrees"and"use"your"thermometer"to"carefully"monitor"
the"actual"temperature."Over"a"few"days,"increase"the"heater"setting"until"the"water"in"the"tank"
is"generally"in"the"range"of"80E82"degrees"F.""NEVER'let'the'water'temperature'exceed'85'
degrees'F!"
"
Ceramic'Heat'Emitter'(recommended):''
The"single"most"important"factor"in"determining"the"growth"rate"of"our"hatchling"turtles"is"the"
water"temperature"of"their"aquaria."Often,"submersible"heaters"alone"can’t"keep"the"water"
warm"enough,"especially"during"off"hours"when"room"temperatures"are"often"allowed"to"fall."
"
Based"on"our"past"experience,"we"therefore"recommend"that"you"use"a"ceramic"heat"emitter"
bulb,"if"possible,"to"help"keep"the"air"in"the"tank"warm."This"will"help"warm"the"water."We"
recommend"a"50Watt"ceramic"heat"emitter"with"a"good"quality"clamp"lamp"that"has"a"
porcelain'socket'and'a'safety'shield'to'prevent'accidental'burns"(The"bulbs"get"hot"enough"
to"cause"immediate"burns.)"The"entire"package"would"thus"consist"of:"
• Zoomed"60W"ceramic"heat"emitter"(ca."$24)"
• Zoomed"or"similar"clamp"lamp"with"ceramic"socket"(Zooomed"8.5”"clamp"lamp"ca."$21)"
7
5
Zoomed"Clamp"Lamp"Safety"Cover"(fits"10”"clamp"lamps,"ca."$14)"
"
As'a'cheaper'alternative,"if"you"are"having"trouble"keeping"the"water"temperature"to"at"least"
78"degrees,"you"can"wrap"three"sides"of"the"tank"with"foil/bubble"wrap"insulation"and"possibly"
using"a"plexiglass"tank"cover"to"better"retain"the"heat"from"the"submersible"water"heater."
"
UV1Producing'Light'Bulb'and'Timer'(F):'''
•
Hatchling"turtles"need"a"good"source"of"ultra"violet"
Day Length
radiation"(UVb"wavelengths)"to"synthesize"Vitamin"
Time of Year'
Setting (hours)'
D3"and"make"strong"bones"and"shells.""(Just"as"
humans"make"vitamin"D"after"skin"exposure"to"the"
sun.)"Our"recommended"bulb"is"the"Zoomed'
September – March"
12"
Reptisun'10.0'Compact'Flourescent'in"a"suitable"
clamp'lamp"fixture"(Zoomed"and"Flukers"make"
April"
13"
good"ones)."Ideally,"the"bulb"should"be"checked"with"
a"UV"light"meter"(We"can"do"this"for"you"when"we"
May 1 - 14"
14"
visit"your"classroom)."
May 15 - 31"
14.5"
Plug"the"light"into"an"electronic'timer'(available"
from"a"local"hardware"store)"using"the"table"on"the"
After June 1"
15"
right"to"determine"appropriate"“daylight”"length."""
Make"sure"that"the"light"is"located"directly"over"the"basking"area,"which"should"be"in"the"
shallow"end"of"the"tank."
Basking'Platform'(E):''"
The"turtles"need"something"to"climb"up"on"and"get"out"of"the"water,"located"directly"under"their"
light"bulb.""Pieces"of"wood"or"flat"rocks"work"well"or"you"can"get"preEmade"one"from"the"pet"
store,"if"so"the"R1Zilla'Floating'Basking'Platform'is"a"good"design.""Please'make'sure'that'
any'“furniture”'that'you'use'in'the'aquarium'can’t'accidentally'roll'over'and'trap'turtles'
underwater.'
Odd'and'Ends:"
o Turkey'baster:"Useful"for"removing"dirt"from"the"tank"in"between"more"thorough"
cleanings."
o Self1Priming'Aquarium'Siphon:"Useful"to"drain"the"tank"water"during"tank"cleaning."
NEVER"prime"a"siphon"by"using"mouth"suction!'
o Large'bucket:"Use"a"bucket"large"enough"to"hold"the"water"for"a"tank"water"change."Fill"
it"with"tap"water,"add"conditioner,"and"let"the"spare"water"sit"and"so"that"there"is"always"
room"temperature"water"at"the"ready."
o Water'Conditioner:"We"recommend"Stresscoat"for"treating"all"water"placed"in"the"
tank."If"you"don’t"use"conditioner"please"let"water"sit"for"24hrs"to"dechlorinate.'
o Tank'“furniture”'and'Decorations:'The"turtles"also"want"hiding'places.""Again,"
Please'make'sure'that'the'“furniture”'is'secure'and'that'there'is'no'danger'of'
anything'toppling'over'and'trapping'the'turtles'underwater."Hatchlings"also"seem"
to"love"some"plastic"vegetation'that'they'can'hide'underneath.'In"general,"though,"we"
recommend"keeping"the"“furniture”"simple"as"you"will"need"to"wash"all"of"it"often."
8
1
Section IV: Feeding Your Turtles
The'Basics"
o When"you"first"get"your"turtles,"you"
may"wish"to"feed"them"for"several"
weeks"in"their"aquarium"until"they"
are"eating"reliably"and"confidently."
Clean"out"any"left"over"food"after"
each"feeding"session"so"that"the"
water"doesn’t"get"fouled"too"quickly."
o After"the"turtles"are"eating"regularly,"
try"getting"them"used"to"eating"in"
separate"small"plastic"feeding"tubs"
(see"below).""It’s"OK"to"put"them"in"
the"feeding"tub"together,"if"more"
convenient,"but"check"for"aggression"
and"separate"them"if"needed."
o Feed'the'turtles'TWICE'EACH'SCHOOL'DAY'and'aim'for'feeding'them'as'much'as'they'
can'eat'in'15'minutes."If"feeding"them"in"their"aquarium,"remove"uneaten"food"afterwards,"
o Turtles"are"fine"over"the"weekend"with"no"food"(3"day"weekends"with"no"food"are"fine)."
o On"longer"vacations"(Thanksgiving,"Christmas,"Feb."and"April"breaks)"the"turtles"will"need"
to"be"fed.""If"they"can’t"be"fed"in"the"school,"they"should"be"taken"home"either"by"the"teacher"
or"a"responsible"family.""There"is"no"need"to"use"the"filter"during"the"vacation"period.""If"
moving"the"aquarium"is"difficult,"the"turtles"can"be"kept"in"a"clean"plastic"tub"for"the"
vacation."
Suggested Feeding Rate "
Rates are based on two feedings per day. If turtles are only fed once per day please double. (
Feed turtles enough so that there is a little left over after each 15-minute feeding session. If
that is less or more than this chart, please adjust according to the appetite of your turtles.'
"
Average Turtle Weight
(g)"
# Omega Juvenile Pellets"
per turtle per feeding"
(one noodle = 7.5 pellets)"
# Omega One sticks"
per turtle"
per feeding (twice daily)"
Hatching – 30"
7-60"
2-4"
31-50"
9-13"
51-70"
12-16"
71-100"
101-130"
Best to switch to the sticks"
"
15-20"
18-25"
131-185"
22-40"
>185"
>30 (as needed)"
9
2
How'to'Feed'your'Turtles'in'Separate'Feeding'Containers:''
Once"your"turtles"are"eating"regularly"in"their"aquarium,"
feeding"the"turtles"in"separate"feeding"containers"will"help"
keep"the"aquarium"clean"an"reduce"the"amount"of"cleaning"
needed."Not"all"turtles"will"adapt"well"to"this"but"be"
persistent."Let"us"know"if"you"are"having"trouble.'
"
1. Wash"hands"with"soap"and"water"before"handling"the"
turtles.""In"some"classrooms,"students"put"on"a"new"pair"of"
disposable"gloves"before"handling"the"turtles.""
"
2. Put"about"1”"of"water"in"each"feeding"container"by"
transferring"some"warm"water"from"the"tank.""If"you"put"
water"from"the"tap"into"the"feeding"container,"make"sure"
it"is"not"too"hot"(not"over"82f)"with"a"thermometer"before"
putting"in"the"turtles."Condition"tap"water"per"
manufacturers"instructions"before"using"it"for"turtles.""
"
3. Carefully"transfer"turtles"to"plastic"tub"for"feeding."They"
will"learn"what"this"means,"so"watch"out"for"unintentional"
nipping"at"this"time,"since"they"will"be"looking"for"food"
and"your"finger"tip"might"look"like"a"turtle"food"pellet."
"
4. Add"sufficient"food"so"that"there"is"some"left"over"after"a"15"minute"feeding"period.""Use"the"
“Suggested"Feeding"Rate”"table"(previous"page)"as"a"guide"but"adjust"as"needed"for"your"
hatchlings.""Count"the"number"of"noodles"or"pellets"placed"in"the"container."
"
5. Set"a"timer"and"after"15"minutes"return"the"turtles"to"their"aquarium.""Record"the"number"of"
noodles/pellets"remaining"and"thus"the"amount"that"the"turtles"ate."
"
6. Replenish"the"water"in"the"aquarium"with"conditioned"water"and"then"refill"the"bucket"from"
the"tap."
"
7. Wash'hands'thoroughly'with'soap'and'water'after'handling'turtles'or'their'water'or'
equipment.'Dispose'of'gloves'if'you'choose'to'use'them.'
"
First'Weeks'of'Feeding'for'Hatchlings"
Hatchling"turtles"often"take"two"weeks"or"more"to"start"eating"the"pellet"food.""If"they"are"
reluctant"to"eat"their"pellet"food,"you"might"wish"to"try"using"“turtle"jello”"(recipe(below)."Since"
the"jello"has"Omega"turtle"pellets"mixed"in,"it"should"be"easy"to"get"them"to"transition"to"just"
pellets."Please(let(us(know(which(approach(you(took(and(how(long(it(took(to(get(your(turtles(
eating(regularly.((Thanks!"
"
Jello*Recipe:"""
A"very"good"technique"to"get"recalcitrant"eaters"to"take"turtle"chow"is"to"mix"the"turtle"chow"in"
with"foods"that"the"turtles"prefer"(bits"of"fish,"hamburger,"or"hardEboiled"egg).""The"best"way"to"
do"this"is"to"make"some"turtle"jello"(a"great"classroom"project,"especially"if"you"can"get"hold"of"a"
10
1
3
blender"or"food"processor).""Here’s"the"recipe:"
1) Make(about(one(cup(of(mash(in(your(
blender((or(hand(mash(thoroughly)(out(of:"
•
¼(cup(of(your(turtles’(“dream(foods”(
(try(finding(this(our(beforehand(by(
offering(your(turtles(things(like:(
salmon,(tuna,(hamburger,(chopped(
frozen(mealworms,(hardFboiled(egg,(
etc.)"
•
¼(Omega(turtle(sticks((the(same(
turtle(food(that(you(normally(use)"
•
¼(cup(mix(of(steamed(dark(leafy(
veggies((e.g.(kale,(collard(greens)(
AND(some(steamed(sweet(potato"
2) Pour(the(mash(in(a(shallow(tray."
3) Stir(in(2(packets(of(unsweetened(gelatin(
(should(be(available(in(any(supermarket)("
4) Stir(in(one(cup(boiling(water."
5) Put(in(fridge(for(2(hours(to(gel.(("
6) Chop(into(small(cubes.((Keep(in(fridge(or(
freezer(until(ready(to(serve(to(turtles.(Keep(
it(in(freezer(if(you(will(be(using(it(for(more(
than(a(week(or(so."
Help!'My'turtle'isn’t'eating!'
●
●
●
●
●
Try"turtle"jello,"if"you"have"not"already"
done"so."
Soak"the"pellets"for"10E15"before"
giving"to"the"turtles.""This"softens"them"
and"increases"their"palatability.""Try"
this"first"for"any"hatchlings"that"are"
not"eating."
It"might"be"possible"to"attract"the"
turtles"to"the"pellets"by"soaking"the"
pellets"in"natural"food"scents.""I"have"
some"“crayfish"flavored"Smelly"Jelly”"
(Yum!)"that"might"help"as"might"
soaking"the"pellets"in"sardine"oil."
Sometimes"recalcitrant"eaters"do"
better"if"placed"in"their"feeding"tub"
with"a"good"eater.""This"may"be"worth"
a"try."
If"the"turtles"are"still"not"eating"three"
weeks"after"their"arrival"in"class,"it"
may"be"worthwhile,"if(possible,"to"
release"them"and"to"substitute"other"
hatchlings"that"are"eating."
Section V: Cleaning Your Turtle Tank
Changing'Water'in'Tanks'(every'week)"
"
1. Wash"hands"with"soap"and"water"before"handling"turtles."
2. Take"turtles"out"and"place"in"plastic"feeding"tub."
3. Unplug"and"remove"the"heater,"clampEon"light.""Unplug"the"filter.""Remove"tank"
furniture"(rocks,"basking"platforms,"plants,"etc.)."
4. Remove"water"from"tank.""Water"can"be"bailed"out"with"a"container"or"emptied"with"the"
use"of"a"siphon."
5. Rinse"the"tank"with"clean"water,"swirling"it"around"tank"and"drain"rinse"water."
6. Rinse"off"the"tank"furniture"and"heater"and"then"replace"in"tank."
7. Refill"the"habitat"with"tap"water.""If"at"all"possible,"set"aside"the"water"in"an"open"
container"at"least"24"hours"ahead"to"dechlorinate."
8. Measure"water"temperature"and"add"hot"tap"water,"if"needed,"until"water"temp."is"at"78E
80"degrees"(no'higher'than'82'degrees!)."
9. Add"water"conditioner"as"per"instructions"on"the"bottle."
10. ReEplug"in"light,"heater,"and"filter"and"make"sure"everything"is"working."
11. Refill"filter"chamber"to"brim"through"screwEoff"fill"cap.""Make"sure"that"filter"is"full"or"it"
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won’t"start."
12. RECHECK'TEMPERATURE'by'hand'and'with'thermometer."
13. Return"the"turtles"to"their"clean"habitat.""
14. Wash"hands"with"soap"and"water"after"handling"turtles."
"
Occasional'Thorough'Cleaning'(once"monthly"at"first,"eventually"every"other"week"as"turtles"
grow)"
"
For"more"thorough"occasional"cleaning,"add"the"following"steps"to"the"above"weekly"routine.""
Use"a"mild"soap."
1. Disassemble"the"filter"and"thoroughly"rinse"and"wring"out"the"sponge"preEfilter.""Then"
rinse"off"the"bag"of"activated"charcoal"and"lightly"scrub"off"some"of"the"gunk"on"the"
outside"of"the"bag"with"a"scrub"brush"and"some"mild"soap.""Rinse"well.""Replace"charcoal"
every"other"month."
2. Scrub"the"inside"of"the"filter"chamber"and"rinse"off"the"ceramic"tubes."
3. Remove"and"clean"the"intake"and"return"tubes"with"pipe"cleaners."
4. Scrub"the"rocks,"platforms"and"other"furniture"with"a"brush"and"mild"soap"and"rinse"
well."
5. Scrub"algae"and"gunk"off"inside"of"tank"as"above."
Section VI: Measuring Your Turtles
1. Turn"on"and"zero"the"balance"with"a"small"plastic"container"on"the"balance"tray"(something"
the"turtles"can’t"climb"out"of)."
2. Put"the"turtle"into"the"container"and"record"the"turtle’s"mass."
3. Holding"the"turtle,"use"calipers"to"measure"the"midEline"length"of"the"carapace"of"the"turtle.""
Hold"turtle"gently"and"measure"the"length"of"the"upper"shell"directly"behind"the"head"in"a"
straight"line"to"the"tip"of"the"shell"near"the"tail"region"(see"diagram"below).""Record"this"
measurement.""
4. Return"turtles"to"their"habitat."
5. Wash'hands'with'soap'and'water'after'handling'turtles.'
6. Compare"the"mass"of"the"turtle"this"week"to"prior"data.""If"you"observe"a"loss"in"mass,"tell"
your"teacher"and"report"it"to"Bryan"Windmiller.""A"weight"loss"lasting"more"than"a"week"may"
be"a"sign"that"the"turtle"is"not"eating"or"not"healthy."
7. Add"your"data"on"turtle"weight"and"length"to"the"online"spreadsheet"at"the"beginning"of"each"
month."
"
"
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Section VII: Preparing Your Turtles for Release
Your"turtles"have"been"growing"all"year"
and"your"time"with"them"is"nearly"over."
As"winter"changes"to"spring,"there"are"a"
number"of"things"that"you"can"do"to"help"
your"turtles"prepare"for"life"in"the"wild."
"
In'March:"
• Gradually"increase"the"depth"of"
water"in"the"deep"until"the"deep"end"is"
about"12”"in"depth."(Remember"to"always"
provide"a"rock"or"floating"platform"to"
allow"the"turtles"to"get"out"of"the"water.)"
• Look"up"the"day"length"in"eastern"
Massachusetts"with"your"class"or"colleagues."Change"the"light"timer"accordingly"so"that"
the"length"of"the"turtles’"“day:"increases"after"the"spring"equinox"(after"March"21)."
"
In'April:'
• Begin"feeding"live"prey"items"while"continuing"also"offering"Omega"turtle"sticks"(see"
below)."
"
In'May:"
• Increase"amount"of"live"prey"in"the"diet."
• About"2"weeks"prior"to"scheduled"release,"UNPLUG"the"water"and"air"heaters"and"let"the"
water"temperature"fluctuate"with"the"room"temperature."
"
Addition'of'Live'Food'Items'in'the'Spring"
In"the"spring,"you"will"be"able"to"help"your"baby"
Blanding’s"turtles"prepare"for"life"in"the"wild"by"adding"
live"prey"items"to"their"diet."Please'continue'giving'
them'their'normal'diet'throughout.'A"common"
strategy"is"to"offer"the"Omega"Turtle"Sticks"for"the"
morning"feedings"and"then"live"food"items"in"the"
afternoons."Play"around"with"this"and"see"what"works"for"
you."
For"teachers,"we"recommend"that"you"enlist"your"
students"in"gathering"up"some"of"these"possible"prey"
species,"perhaps"by"asking"1"or"2"students"at"a"time"to"
procure"some."As"you"can"see"in"the"photo"on"the"right,"
some"students"really"enjoy"going"out"and"exploring"local"
ponds"and"pools"to"find"food"for"their"turtles."
"
Guidelines'for'Live'Food'Choice'and'Quantity'
• Offer"turtles"just"one"live"prey"item"at"a"time"at"
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first."They"may"remain"very""reluctant"to"try"eating"their"prey"and"need"to"learn"how"to"
handle"and"approach"different"prey"items."
• Please"be"sensitive"to"the"live"animals"that"you"are"offering"as"prey."Consider"releasing"
them"if"possible,"if"the"turtles"are"not"interested"in"eating"them."
• ONLY'USE'live'prey'items'caught'in'your'area'(farmed'crickets'and'mealworms'
are'acceptable)."This"will"help"prevent"spreading"diseases"and"parasites"to"wild"turtles."
"
Some'good'live'prey'possibilities:"
o Earthworms"
o SMALL"crayfish"
o Local"pond"and"garden"snails"
o Small"tadpoles"
o Aquatic"insects,"especially"softEbodied"ones"like"dragonfly,"damselfly,"and"fishfly"larvae"
o Small"aquatic"beetles"and"bugs"
o Crickets"(wild"or"storeEbought)"
o Mealworms"
"
Some'live'prey'items'BEST'AVOIDED"
o Ants"
o Mosquito"larvae!"
o Insects"with"strong"smells"(e.g.(stink"bugs)"
o Stinging"insects"
o Most"live"fish"(Blanding’s"turtles"will"have"a"hard"time"catching"them,"though"it"is"ok"to"
try"small"locally"sourced"minnows"or"young"sunfish."Please"consider"giving"the"fish"some"
food"while"they"are"still"alive"in"the"aquariua."Chunks"of"storeEbought"salmon,"herring,"
etc."are"a"great"food"item."
Section VIII: Adapting these Protocols for Other Species of Turtles
These protocols work well for raising baby snapping and painted turtles with the following
modifications:
Snapping turtles may benefit from adding live food earlier and a more varied diet earlier than as
recommended above. Baby snapping turtles tend to be hearty eaters and will grow more rapidly
than Blanding’s turtles if fed adequately. SAFETY CONCERN: New snapping turtle hatchlings
are very docile and, in any case, can’t inflict any injury. Our experience is that the turtles remain
amenable to handling without trying to bite in almost all cases throughout the 9 month
headstarting period. However, as a basic precaution, as your snapping turtle babies grow,
caution should be used in handling them. Always hold their shells from behind the midpoint.
Painted turtles are stronger swimmers than Blanding’s turtles. They will enjoy deeper water in
their aquaria. They are also less carnivorous than Blanding’s turtles and so may appreciate the
addition of red-leaf lettuce and other dark greens to their diets.
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!
!
!!
APPENDIX!
!
How!to!Open!and!Edit!the!Spreadsheet!in!Google!Drive!
Step!1:!Open!the!e?mail!with!the!link!to!the!document.!It!should!be!called!something!like!
“2015!Turtle!Headstarting!Data!–!Invitation!to!edit”!
!
Step!2:!Click!on!the!document!title!“2015!Turtle!Headstarting!Data”.!NO!NOT!CLICK!the!
button!that!says!“Open!in!Sheets”.!
Step!3:!The!file!will!now!open!and!you!can!make!edits:!!
!
2!
Step!4:!To!find!the!document!again!later,!point!your!browser!to!http://drive.google.com!.!
From!there!click!on!“Shared!with!me”!on!the!left!side!menu,!and!you!will!see!the!spreadsheet!
there.!Open!it!and!edit!it.!
!
3!
Disclaimer!
!!
The!information!in!this!book!is!intended!as!a!guide!for!raising!Blanding’s!turtles.!Please!be!
advised!possessing!threatened!species!such!as!the!Blanding’s!turtle!requires!written!
permission!from!the!Massachusetts!Natural!Heritage!and!Endangered!Species!Program.!Do!not!
attempt!to!rescue!and!raise!Blanding’s!turtles!without!permission.!!
!
!
4!