It is hard to say one turtle is more beautiful than another but this is one beautiful turtle! The diamondback terrapin is the only brackish water turtle in the United States. These turtles can be easily distinguished from other species by their light colored skin with dark spots, and their choice of habitat – salt marshes.
Ornate Diamondback Terrapin (photo: Dr. John Himes)
Terrapins inhabit creeks within marshes close to where they were born and rarely range from their natal home. They require dry ground for nesting. Terrapins spend their time basking in lagoons near the surface or on open mudflats at low tide. They feed primarily on shellfish, preferring snails and bivalves, but will also feed on small crabs, shrimp, worms, fish, and occasionally vegetation.
The females are larger than the males and have shorter tails. Mature females typically lay 6 to 10 eggs and will nest more than once in the same year. Nesting begins in late April in our part of the country and females laying multiple clutches will do so every 16 days. The sex of the offspring is determined by the nest temperature (warmer than 29˚C = females) so generally the eggs in the upper part of the nest are female. Unlike sea turtles, female terrapins approach the nesting beach at high tide during daylight hours. Most of the nests we find in Santa Rosa County are near salt bush (Baccharis sp.) but we have found them in open areas or near debris like driftwood. They also differ from sea turtles in that young head away from open water preferring the plants of the marsh. The heaviest predation is on the eggs and young. The dominant nest raider is the raccoon. Hatchlings are preyed upon by raccoons, otters, skunks, crows, and sea gulls; adults have few predators.
Terrapin populations have declined over the last 150 years. In the late 19th century it became very popular to eat them and the demand for the animal became an economic dynamo for many coastal fishermen. Terrapin researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found a newspaper article from that time period that discussed a terrapin farm in Mobile County that had 25,000 terrapins; suggesting they were once very common. With the increase in the popularity for food their numbers decreased, this caused an increase in price and a decline in their popularity. The introduction of the crab trap in the 20th century became problematic for them. Terrapins swim into traps and can not reach the surface to breathe. In some states a “by-catch reduction device” or BRD is required on crab traps. Studies of these in New Jersey and Florida showed they have no significant impact on the crab catch but do reduce the number of terrapins captured. BRDs are not currently required in Florida as commercial traps are actively fished and bycatch removed when crabs are harvested. “Derelict” crab traps are those that are not actively being fished, killing all sorts of aquatic life. Derelict crab trap removal events which removes this potential hazard to turtles and to blue crabs as well.
We have been conducting a monitoring program assessing the status of Terrapins in the Panhandle since 2006 and have found at least one in every coastal county between Alabama and the Apalachicola River. We have identified five nesting beaches and believe that one population has between 25-50 individuals within it (likely much lower numbers than historically found). The marsh turtle status is certainly of concern for many biologists.
To learn more about terrapins and the crab trap removal program visit the following websites or call your local extension office. For more information on obtaining a bycatch reduction device (BRD) for your recreational crab traps contact Rick O’Connor, 850-475-5230.
Terrapins in a derelict crab trap (photo: Molly O’Connor)
It is a song that has been played in our state time and again. An exotic pet or plant is brought across our borders and either intentionally or accidentally released into the environment. Tropical fish, exotic reptiles, and nonnative mammals escape and the next thing you know they are wandering the neighborhood.
In many cases these non-natives are just another part of the landscape but some species they become invasive and cause economic or environmental problems. There are many examples of invasives in Florida; iguanas, fire ants, Chinese tallow, Japanese climbing fern, and most recently – Burmese pythons. The states of Florida and Hawaii have the largest problems with these creatures thus they
have some of the toughest laws dealing with them; there is a $1000 fine for releasing in Florida. These creatures find plenty of food, few predators, and warm temperatures year round. It is no different in the Gulf of Mexico. Many tropical fish released into our waters do not survive the winters or the high salinities, but conditions are great for the lionfish.
The lionfish is from the western Pacific and range from Micronesia to the southern shores of Japan. They are cryptic and nocturnal in habit so detection difficult. They are found primarily on offshore reefs and feed on a variety of small fishes, shrimps, and crabs; they have few natural predators.
So how did they get here?
It is believed that the lionfish issue began with the aquarium trade. The most popular explanation for their release is the destruction of housing during the heavy hurricane seasons. The earliest record of a lionfish in Florida was in 1985 in the town of Dania. The first records in the northern Gulf were in 2010 when lionfish were seen in Apalachicola and Pensacola.
Are they invasive?
The answer is yes. These fish are voracious feeders consuming over 50 species of reef fishes, shrimps, crabs, and some accounts show them feeding on small spiny lobsters; many are economically important to us.
So what do we do about it?
The method of choice at the moment is removal by humans. Lionfish do not typically bite a hook so the most effective method is spearfishing. Many areas are hosting “Lionfish Rodeos” which reward divers for returning as many as possible. A rodeo held in Destin during the summer of 2012 landed 81 lionfish in a single day. On August 3, 2012 the state of Florida issued an executive order that will allow spear fishermen to capture lionfish without a saltwater license and no bag limit. This executive order will be effective for one year. Some communities consume lionfish and their flavor rating is good. However the FDA reported that lionfish live and feed on similar prey that many species of reef fish that develop ciguatera do. Though there have been no confirmed reports of ciguatera in lionfish there is a risk.
No matter what your interest, the December 6 Forest Stewardship Tour at Waukeenah Plantation in southern Jefferson County will give you an onsite vision of developing a forest on your property. Waukeenah Plantation was purchased by its current owners just a little over twenty-five years ago. Since then, pines have replaced pastures and the property is being managed for timber production and wildlife habitat. The day’s program will be hosted by the Florida-Georgia Game Management Series and the University of Florida Forest Stewardship program and will feature how habitat can be developed and enhanced in a relatively short time.
This is just the latest change in the use of this land. Long before Hernando deSoto camped here, indigenous peoples enjoyed the clear streams and fertile lands near the Cody Scarp. In the early nineteenth century, planter Robert Gamble set up the original Waukeenah Plantation. In addition to the recently planted pines, the site boasts hardwoods in the creek bottoms. Tour stops will visit both and discuss the management of each to enhance wildlife habitat. Tour leaders will include speakers from the University of Florida and University of Georgia Extension Services, the Florida Department of Forestry, National Wild Turkey Federation, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Florida Public Archeology Network.
