Turtle Journal

Female (Left) and Male Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata)

In coastal Massachusetts, spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) are the first turtle species to awake from winter brumation.  Just as ice melts in shallow wetlands, and the March sun rises above the treeline, spotted turtles emerge from their oozy hibernacula and trek to nearby mating aggregations.  Bright yellow spots on a dark carapace give this species its extremely descriptive name.

Sue Wieber Nourse and Rufus Examine Spotted Turtles

We saw the first active spotteds in a SouthCoast pond on March 18th.  On Thursday, April 3rd, the Turtle Journal team investigated a mating aggregation near Washburn Park in Marion.  This wetland area had been significantly disrupted by NSTAR within the last year, and we wondered whether spotteds would return this season.  We sneaked up on the site and peered through trees and brambles into the swampy wetlands.  Sue Wieber Nourse observed two turtles under water cavorting in mating show, and Don Lewis  saw another turtle about ten feet further down the trail basking on downed branches.

Female (Left) and Male Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata)

We charged through thick brush and managed to capture two of the three turtles; one gorgeous female and a very handsome male.  Both were first time captures.  The female weighed 125 grams and measured 9.16 centimeters long.  She sported the most lovely galaxy of yellow spots on her carapace.  The male weighed 148 grams and measured 10.02 centimeters long.

Female (Left) and Male Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata)

Spotteds are a small, extremely beautiful wetlands turtle.  Females can be distinguished by brightly colored yellow-orange necks, while males have drab gray or dark colored necks.  To compensate for such drab colors, males have a thick, showy tail.  As illustrated above, males also have an indentation on the plastron across their abdominals; females to the contrary have flat, washboard abs.

Painted Turtles Bask after a Long, Hard Winter

After days of unrelenting rain on Massachusetts SouthCoast, sunshine finally broke through days of overcast.  With temperatures still only in the mid-40s, painted turtles (Chrysemus picta) tunneled out of the ooze and crawled on rocks to thaw after a too long winter.

Basking Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) Basking

April 1st is late to see these gaudy harbingers of Spring.  Like crocuses and daffodils, painted turtles bring the pleasure of Nature’s color to the season.  Rock on, painteds!

Male Spotted Turtle Basks in SouthCoast Pond

A brisk 44 degrees intensified by a fresh ocean breeze chilled the Massachusetts’ SouthCoast.  Nevertheless, the Turtle Journal team decided to explore a protected pond in East Marion for spotted turtles.  We had observed the first basking turtle at this pond three days ago, but we had not yet held one in our hands to see how well they had fared during this long, hard winter.  As we approached the pond, a flock of “guard” ducks took flight and quacked warning to two spotted turtles hugging the bank.  They dove for the mucky bottom of leaves, twigs and swampy debris.

Sue Wieber Nourse Examines Two Male Spotted Turtles

Undaunted by the challenge, Turtle Journal’s Sue Wieber Nourse plunged into the swamp and scooped up the surprised turtles with her bare hands.  They both were adult male spotted turtles; one was marked and the other was a first time capture.

Male Spotted Turtle #11 (First Marked in 2007)

Turtle Journal’s Don Lewis had first captured the marked turtle (#11) on April 20th, 2007 in the same location.  Within the last seven years, his measurements have not varied noticeably.  However, Spotted Turtle #11 weighs in at 185 grams today, ten grams heavier than his weight in April 2007.   The second turtle, now marked #13D, is an 8-year-old male who weighs 178 grams.  He is missing his left front limb, an injury that is well healed.   He marks the second male spotted turtle in this small pond that we have documented with a missing limb.

Spotted Turtle #11 Released Back into the Wild

After examining and documenting the two males, the Turtle Journal team released them back into the pond while the sun was still high enough to offer basking opportunities.

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Male Spotted Turtles Released Back into Wild

The two lads sprinted across the grass and slid into the swampy pond.  Turtle #11 swam for deeper water in the center of the pond, while #13D hid near the bank among limbs, leaves, duck weed and debris.  You may spot his head at the end of the video, but I warn you that these turtles are incredibly camouflaged.

Two Male Spotted Turtles

This handsome duo proved healthy and they seem to have weathered the long, endless winter quite well burrowed deep under the mucky bottom of the pond.  Hopefully within the next few days we’ll see some of the gorgeous ladies who frequent this wetlands, too.

First 2014 Spotted Turtle at Brainard Marsh Pond in Marion

Perhaps there will be an end to this endless winter.  The Turtle Journal team visited Brainard Marsh in East Marion this afternoon.  Spotted turtles in the small, shallow pond in Brainard Marsh usually awaken first on the SouthCoast.  The sun warms this protected pond in mid-March, coaxing spotteds to “spring” to life. 

At 37 degrees Fahrenheit at 2:15 pm, we had little hope of seeing our first turtle of the year.  Yet, the sun must have warmed the water just enough to nudge one adult spotted turtle out of brumation (winter slumber).  Sue Wieber Nourse observed this well camouflaged beauty basking at the surface and representing our first turtle sighting of 2014 on the SouthCoast of Massachusetts.

Let the Turtle Season begin!

Dea Champlin Holds Terrapin Hatchling for Release

The Turtle Journal team, in partnership with Mass Audubon’s Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, hosted a release of 14 rare diamondback terrapin hatchlings on Thursday afternoon, 19 September.  These perfect babies were rescued by TJ’s Sue Wieber Nourse from a vulnerable nest dug by their momma in an Allens Pond overwash area on the night of 20 June (see Rare Turtle Babies Saved During Moonlight Rescue at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary).  After incubating in the Turtle Journal’s rescue garden, eggs began to pip on September 10th and 14 hatchlings emerged on Lucky Friday the 13th (of September) 85 days later.

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Hatchling Release @ MAS Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary

As folks gathered for the release, Sue Wieber Nourse was interviewed by EverythingWestport as she related the story of the hatchlings rescue and talked about the importance of conserving this threatened species of salt marsh turtles.

Fourteen Terrapin Hatchlings Ready for Release

Before releasing these hatchlings into the nursery salt marsh immediately abutting their natal nesting site, Sue Wieber Nourse, staff of Mass Audubon and Allens Pond, and MAS friends and volunteers gathered for a group photograph, each holding a baby for release.

Releasing Terrapins and Good-Bye Snapshots

People turned around and tucked their hatchling under the dense marsh vegetation.  Then quickly, before these babies disappeared for the next three years of their lives to hide from a vast host of predators, everyone snapped a parting snapshot of their special hatchling.  It doesn’t take too long to bond with these precious little cuties.  Once again, diamondback terrapin hatchlings prove their vital role as ambassadors for wildlife and the conservation of coastal ecosystems.