Turtle # 2253 is the second head start female to have produced young. The above images are of one of her offspring also being head started at The Berkshire Museum: Turtle # 4997. Weight on arrival was 7.36 grams. Twenty five weeks later it is 314 grams. Measuring the specimen (3/15/2002) is 12 year old Roger Wilson, a volunteer, while Scott Jervas, aquarist, looks over his shoulder.
Weight in grams:
The Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Plymouth red-bellied turtle) is found nowhere else in the world (in the wild), except in southeastern Massachusetts -- mostly in the towns of Plymouth and Carver. It is the second largest fresh water turtle in Massachusetts. When adult, red-bellied turtles reach 10 pounds, but when newly hatched they are very small, and weigh about 5 to 8 grams. Many animals prey upon them before and just after they hatching; before they hatch skunks and raccoons eat their eggs. Many of the turtles that do hatch are eaten by birds, fish and bullfrogs. An early fall may keep some turtles in the nest through the winter, and they often freeze to death if the winter is particularly cold. In 1980 the turtles were declared an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the early 1980's it was estimated that less than 300 (probably closer to 200) individuals survived. Through the efforts of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, land was set aside for their protection.
In addition to habitat preservation, nests are being protected from
predators and newly hatched individuals are being given preferential
treatment during their first months out of the egg. At several sites in
Massachusetts, "Head Start" facilities provide for the keeping of young
red-bellied cooters through their first winter. Ours and the New England
Aquarium were among the first sites to "Head Start" the baby turtles.
Since 1986 we have been involved, giving the hatchling turtles a head
start an life, providing a warm, predator free environment and a constant
supply of food. Individual turtles are weighed and measured weekly and
watched for signs of stress. The local head start project takes time and
energy, and with no funding from government agencies, the expenses are
assumed by the head start facility. Young red-bellied cooters consume large
quantities of Romaine and red-leaf lettuce while in captivity. There are other
expenses involved in addition, and individuals and
groups wishing to contribute to this project may make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE
DONATION to the:
RED-BELLIED HEAD START PROGRAM
Attention: Thom Smith, Aquarium Director and Natural Science Curator
The Berkshire Museum Pittsfield, MA 01201
|
 A baby being weighed. |
 A baby being measured for length. |
 Weight and length being recorded by Wick, a (former) museum staffer. |
Turtles are kept in a large stock tank, heated to 82 degrees F. (Temperature is in the mid 70s during the first 2 months, then increased slowly to 82 degrees.) Lighting includes ultra violet lamps, to insure good shell and bone development. Romaine and red leaf lettuce is "fed on demand," which means there is always lettuce for the turtles to eat. Reptomin, a food stick, is offered daily.
Brian Perks, 14 year old aquarium volunteer feeds turtles.
For additional information, feel free to E-mail me
at either: naturewatch@yahoo.com or thom.smith@verizon.net
| Space for this page provided by Thom's Coastal and Marine Art Photos |