Handle With Care!
(Continued from page 4)
Most people by now are likely familiar with the adage “put them off the road
in the same direction they were heading,” but many may not realize that this
really only applies to box turtles. If its a large female aquatic turtle, such as a
slider, looking for a place to nest (about the only reason these turtles ever leave
the water), it could be a disaster to pick it up. These females take on a large supply
of water with which they will moisten their nest. If you pick one up, its defensive
response will be to jettison the water, requiring it to return and get more before it
can lay its eggs. This greatly extends the amount of time the turtle is forced to walk
around on land, away from the safety of water, and also increases its chances of
becoming egg bound or being hit by a vehicle.
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A gorgeous
terrapin found
crossing Highway
58 near the Iron
Steamer beach
access in 2014.
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Things can get tricky with turtles if you don’t know which ones are which.
When in doubt, the best course of action is probably to do nothing at all—do
no harm. Turtles have been finding their own way around in this world for over
220 million years longer than humans have been here to “help” them, and sadly.
A mud turtle crossing the road
near the aquarium. If a turtle
is in motion, do not approach
it or it will likely stop. Just wait
and let it cross on its own.
n.
the problems faced by these long-term survivors nowadays seem to be all of our
making. Unless a turtle is in real and imminent danger, such as crossing a road
or perhaps a lawn that is getting mowed, there is no reason to move, pick it up
or otherwise interfere with it, and whatever you do, no matter how cute that tiny
hatchling turtle looks, leave it right where it is and please do not take it home.
I can tell you right now that when you call me in a couple of years after it has
gotten to be just too much to handle, wanting to know if you can “donate” it to the
aquarium ... the answer will be no.
Frederick Boyce is the staff herpetologist at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll
Shores.
Carteret Health Care
experts have experts.
Carteret w
L'f-' CA
Compassion runs deep
MAYO CLINIC
CARE NETWORK
Member
Orthopedic experts
Bariatric experts.
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Through Carteret Health Care's membership in the Mayo
Clinie Care Network, our boetors have special access to
Mayo Clinic's knowledge, resources and team of specialists-
Our experts have experts ==• giving you the care you need,
close to home, at no additional cost.
CartereUleallh oiy | 3SOO AiaiiUeM Street | Morehead City, NC 2HSS7 | (2S2) 499-6000
14 The Shoreline I June 2021