Turtle Journal

Terrapin Hatchling Stumbling Down Dirt Road

A two-day Atlantic storm which pelted the Cape with cold rain amid northerly gusts yielded a surprise dividend this afternoon.  During a period when 5-pound sea turtles are stranding cold-stunned on Cape Cod beaches and mature diamondback terrapins have been tucked away in their winter hibernacula for nearly a month, we were shocked to discover a 4-gram hatchling strolling down the road on Lieutenant Island.  Hatchling 90 was roaming as if lost along a dirt road on West Island within shouting distance of the Murphy’s cottage.  The nest from whence she emerged could not be located.

Light and Possibily Dehydrated, Still Sporting Egg Tooth

At 2.7 centimeters carapace length, she’s about mid sized, but seems quite light at only 4 grams.  Her yolk sac has been mostly absorbed, but her egg tooth remains quite prominent.

Terrapin Hatchling with Eyes Still Closed

Sadly she may be blind.  Neither eye has opened, although there is no anomalous growth as witnessed on Hatchling 2-99 from Lieutenant Island last year.  She’s resting now and gradually warming in my garage lab.  The wet tank has been prepared for her once she becomes more active.

Old Friend, Diamondback Terrapin 780, Found Dead

The marsh grass south of Fox Island surrendered the remains of an old friend this morning.  Terrapin 780, a 15-year-old female of 18.7 centimeters carapace length, was found freshly dead.  She holds a special place in our research program as the first turtle to be netted by kayak.  Last seen on 18 July 1999 in Blackfish Creek between Lieutenant Island and Indian Neck, #780 then weighed a chunky 1124 grams and was described in the researcher’s notes as “very healthy and energetic.”

 Dead Male Diamondback Terrapin

A second dead terrapin, a six-year-old male of 12.1 centimeters carapace length, lay a few feet to the north.

As you slog deeper into the marsh approaching the main creek channels, salt grasses form a dense mask about four feet high and thick as a briar patch.  They not only obscure terrapin remains which may be trapped in their packed weave, but disguise sink holes and rivers of quick-mud beneath a curtain of straw.  Exhaustive search of this area must await winter tides to prune marsh grasses and flush shells closer to shore.  The count now stands at 14 dead diamondback terrapins recovered from the Fox Island Wildlife Management Area since 3 November.

Dead Terrapin in Fox Island Wildlife Management Area

This morning’s low tide uncovered the remains of a seven-year-old male diamondback terrapin in a salt marsh rivulet south of Indian Neck’s Fox Island.  His unmarked, unscarred 11.3-centimeter carapace held a largely decomposed body, missing head and most limbs.  Only his thick male tail remained largely intact.

Dead Seven-Year-Old Male Terrapin 

The southwest section of this marsh system between Wise Hill and Field Point, where about half of last year’s dead turtles were discovered,  remains to be searched.  Mid-November flood tides may also flush carcasses trapped in mud and high marsh grasses into more accessible creeks and rivulets.

Dead Diamondback Terrapins Found in Wellfleet Marsh

Eleven dead diamondback terrapins were discovered in salt marsh rivulets south of Indian Neck’s Fox Island Wildlife Management Area in this morning’s low tide.  These turtles ranged in age from 3-year-old juveniles to young adults.

Small Dead Diamondback Terrapin

The smallest measured 7.5 centimeters carapace length.

Dead Mature Female Diamondback Terrapin

The largest was a 10-year-old female of 17.9 centimeters.  Remains varied from decomposed and desiccated to fresh.  One three-year-old juvenile, with missing head and forelimbs, still flailed her legs and tail when touched.

Don Lewis Examines and Documents Dead Terrapins

Preliminary analysis revealed no indications that these turtles were other than in good condition before their demise.  While some limbs were missing, predation of soft tissue may have occurred post mortem.  There were no teeth nor claw marks observed on the shells.  Cause of death is undetermined.

Fox Island Wildlife Management Area

The 11 dead turtles were found in the area south of Fox Island circled in red below.  The rest of the marsh from the Anawan turnaround to Wise Hill and Field Point will be searched during low tides over the next few days.