Re: [vernalpool] diamondback terrapin

Yes Steve...they may cross back again with in hours, depending on why they
were headed across the road in the first place. If it was for a choice
nesting spot, once they lay their eggs they will need to return to their
home area, or pond/lake/etc. This annual crossing to lay eggs may be
repeated for decades. Some terrestrial turtles like E.Box Turtles have
territories that span many acres and often cross roads to get to other
parts of their habitat in search of food, mates, or their hibernation
spots. I often find it emotionally painful to cross them and leave, not
knowing if they will survive the return trip or if someone else comes
along and kidnaps them for a tortuous life in captivity. We can only hope
they make it and when given the opportunity then speak out to help teach
others about watching out for and when ever we safely can, crossing
turtles in the direction they are headed.

Thank you all for loving turtles!

Carol

> Great job, Mike!
>
> Inspiring.
>
> I've saved many of them from cars, too... and it's a good point to take
> them where they seem to be heading, though I wonder if when they are done,
> they will try to cross the same road or highway again, again risking
> death?
>
> I'd love to hear more on this.
>
> Often they are good-sized snappers, and I try to just herd them off the
> road, or keep the cars from hitting them while they cross. I know some
> people pick them up, but I'm a massage therapist, and I can't afford to
> lose a finger or hand!
>
>
> Great to be part of this caring group! Steve
>
>
> Steve Carter
>
> Massage Therapy and CranioSacral Therapy
> Since 1980
>
> <http://www.bostonmassageandcraniosacraltherapy.com/>
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 26, 2012, at 8:54 PM, Treeswallow5@aol.com wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks alot....haven't met a turtle I don't like or won't stop for!!!!!
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Mike Maurer
>> Marion, MA
>>
>> "The time to save a species is while it is still common" Rosalie Edge,
>> Founder of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: PHILLIP BONN <philbo5678@verizon.net>
>> To: vernalpool <vernalpool@yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Tue, Jun 26, 2012 8:48 pm
>> Subject: RE: [vernalpool] diamondback terrapin
>>
>> Great job!
>>
>> From: vernalpool@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vernalpool@yahoogroups.com] On
>> Behalf Of Treeswallow5@aol.com
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 8:46 PM
>> To: Bio-mass@yahoogroups.com; vernalpool@yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: [vernalpool] diamondback terrapin
>>
>>
>>
>> Today around 2 PM on the Wareham/Marion town line, as I was crossing the
>> Weweantic River, I saw a diamondback terrapin trying to cross the four
>> lanes.....I pulled a Jason Statham "Transporter" -type U-turn
>> immediately
>> and went back, parked in the middle lane with flashers going (it really
>> wasn't that dramatic, as no cars were coming yet) and snatched her up.
>> But
>> as I carried her back to the car, her head was tucked in, blood dripped
>> down, and the back legs dangled.
>>
>> Damn!! One car too late!!...
>>
>> I place her on the mat under my feet and sped off to the home of a
>> couple of
>> turtle experts who just happen to live in Marion. Susan Weiber Nourse
>> and
>> Don Lewis... They have been monitoring and researching these terrapins
>> in
>> Southeastern MA for 20 years or more. Also volunteering out on the Cape
>> at
>> Wellfleet Bay.
>>
>> My immediate thoughts were that if she was going to die, at least maybe
>> they
>> could save some eggs (why else would she be on land?) and also see if
>> she
>> was one their marked individuals.
>>
>> I arrived at the their home...ran to the door....explained the situation
>> (I
>> had already brought another dead female there last year from the same
>> spot!)...we went back to the car and as I was handing her over to Susan,
>> she
>> emitted an egg!!! Susan asked me to check the car, and I found another
>> egg
>> on the mat!!!! As we examined her and discussed the possibility of her
>> surviving these injuries, she deposited two more eggs in Susan's
>> hand!!!!
>> Holy Crap!!!!
>>
>> As of now (8:00 PM) I do not know her fate, but hopefully at least four
>> of
>> her offspring will stand a chance of making it.
>>
>> Wow...what a day
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Mike Maurer
>> Marion, MA
>>
>> "The time to save a species is while it is still common" Rosalie Edge,
>> Founder of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
>>
>> Today around 2 PM on the Wareham/Marion town line, as I was crossing the
>> Weweantic River, I saw a diamondback terrapin trying to cross the four
>> lanes.....I pulled a Jason Statham "Transporter" -type U-turn
>> immediately
>> and went back, parked in the middle lane with flashers going (it really
>> wasn't that dramatic, as no cars were coming yet) and snatched her up.
>> But
>> as I carried her back to the car, her head was tucked in, blood dripped
>> down, and the back legs dangled.
>>
>> Damn!! One car too late!!...
>>
>> I place her on the mat under my feet and sped off to the home of a
>> couple of
>> turtle experts who just happen to live in Marion. Susan Weiber Nourse
>> and
>> Don Lewis... They have been monitoring and researching these terrapins
>> in
>> Southeastern MA for 20 years or more. Also volunteering out on the Cape
>> at
>> Wellfleet Bay.
>>
>> My immediate thoughts were that if she was going to die, at least maybe
>> they
>> could save some eggs (why else would she be on land?) and also see if
>> she
>> was one their marked individuals.
>>
>> I arrived at the their home...ran to the door....explained the situation
>> (I
>> had already brought another dead female there last year from the same
>> spot!)...we went back to the car and as I was handing her over to Susan,
>> she
>> emitted an egg!!! Susan asked me to check the car, and I found another
>> egg
>> on the mat!!!! As we examined her and discussed the possibility of her
>> surviving these injuries, she deposited two more eggs in Susan's
>> hand!!!!
>> Holy Crap!!!!
>>
>> As of now (8:00 PM) I do not know her fate, but hopefully at least four
>> of
>> her offspring will stand a chance of making it.
>>
>> Wow...what a day
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Mike Maurer
>> Marion, MA
>>
>> "The time to save a species is while it is still common" Rosalie Edge,
>> Founder of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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