Turtle Journal

First Terrapin Hatchling of the 2009 Season

Tiny 1-inch long, 1/4 ounce terrapin hatchlings began to emerge from the September sands of Lieutenant Island in South Wellfleet on Saturday morning.  After a nesting season that was delayed two weeks by a cool and stormy spring, supplemented equally cool and rainy summer conditions that slowed down incubation, 41 hatchlings emerged from nests three weeks late in Saturday’s warmth and sunshine 

Tiny, Dusty Hatchling Emerges from Dirt Road Nest

So, watch out below!  Keep a sharp eye on what moves along bayside dirt roads and driveways, and burrows from beneath dune sands from Barnstable to Wellfleet during September and early October.  That pebble rolling across the parking pad might be a turtle baby trying to scurry into the safety of nearby vegetation. 

“Hey, I just hatched.  What did I do to deserve this ignominy?  Get me out of here!”

Diamondback terrapins are protected in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a threatened species.  Other turtle hatchling are emerging, too.  Eastern box turtle, spotted turtle, painted turtle and our perenial favorite snapping turtle hatchlings will be poking their heads out of ground in the next few weeks.  If you see a terrapin, don’t hesitate to call the 24/7 turtle hotline at 508-274-5108 to report the sighting.  If you’re unsure whether it’s a terrapin or a snapper, call any way.  The Turtle Journal Team is dedicated to saving the world, one turtle at a time.

Click Here to View Video in High Quality

Hatchlings Emerge on Lieutenant Island

This entry was posted on Monday, September 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am and is filed under Turtles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.