 |
VISITORS |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
NEW FROM
THE ECHO BLOG |
DISCOVERING ECHO: AN INTERN'S PERSPECTIVE |
POSTED MAY 13 AT 3:28 PM |
The instructions… |
READ MORE + |
|
|
|
|
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
Contact: Steven Leibman
802-864-1848 ext. 125
sleibman@echovermont.org
TINY TURTLES GET SECOND CHANCE
(BURLINGTON, VT) — When you come to ECHO this winter, you'll be
in for a treat - 76 baby map turtles are being raised in the
Animal Care room on the second floor; each one no larger than a
silver dollar. Found by Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist
Steve Parren, these tiny turtles had little chance for surviving
in the wild after their nests were disturbed by a predator, but
ECHO Animal Care staff and volunteers, in partnership with
Vermont Fish and Wildlife, are giving them a second chance.
The turtles were about three weeks old when found in-and-around
their excavated nests in late October. Map turtles are known to
hibernate throughout the winter and these critters probably
would have been fine if left in their nests. Having been dug up,
however - perhaps by a fox or raccoon, or some other predator -
they likely would not have survived on their own. Steve Parren -
who is the Coordinator of Vermont's Non-Game and Natural
Heritage Program - gathered the babies up and brought them to
ECHO.
The turtles were so young, many still sported a tiny egg tooth
on their beaks, and even showed the little bumps of yolk sacs,
which are basically the food packages turtles feed off of while
in their eggs and retain for nutrition a short time after. The
turtles were closely watched to see when they would be ready for
food - this being the most critical period of adjustment. When
they finally started eating, there was a real sigh of relief.
The little turtles, like all ECHO animals, are receiving a
varied, balanced diet: One day they might dine on escarole and
red worms, and another day might feature dandelion greens and
diced night crawlers. "They are very curious and will try to
taste anything that comes their way," says Steve Smith, Director
of Animal Care and Facilities at ECHO.
The turtles seem to be developing nicely, with all of the
original group still healthy and accounted for. They crawl and
swim about their tank, sometimes basking on a rock under the
"sun" (a heat lamp), other times preferring a swim to the shady
side. And once in awhile you might even find one hitching a ride
around the tank on a sibling's back!
"We'll house these guys until the weather is suitable," Steve
says. "Probably early June or so. We think they'll have about
doubled in size by then." That would make each one about the
size of a muffin. "Some people seem concerned that they wouldn't
have learned how to protect themselves in the wild; that they'll
be easy prey after living here so long, but turtles are very
instinctive animals. They hatch after their parents have moved
on, and seem to know what they need to survive on their own.
Their behaviors are 'hardwired.' This is basically like an
animal Head Start Program - we'll get them started, release them
where they were found, and then they're on their own."
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for
Lake Champlain is Vermont’s world-class Lake Aquarium and
Science Center, on the beautiful Burlington Waterfront. ECHO
features over 60 species of live fish, amphibians and reptiles,
with more than 100 hands-on exhibits, and hosts traveling
exhibits several times a year. The site also highlights the Lake
Champlain Navy Memorial and heroic “Lone Sailor” statue. For
more information on ECHO, visit our website at
www.echovermont.org, call Toll-Free 1-877-ECHOFUN, or write to
ECHO, One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401. |
|
1.802.864.1848
