The Turtle Log

Latest Turtle Atlas Entry

One of our Citizen Scientists in Amherst, MA sent in her sighting of an Eastern Painted Turtle together with this incredible photo. Even if we were only able to see the shell, we would know the subspecies. The olive bands between the carapace scutes confirm even from a distance that it is a Painted, but with this close view, we see that the scutes line-up rather than alternate, telling us that this is an Eastern Painted Turtle, as opposed to a Midland Painted Turtle, also found in Western Mass.

First Turtles of Spring

With pockets of ice still holding on in this Connecticut swamp, the first Eastern Painted Turtles, Chrysemys picta picta, haul out onto logs and tussocks to bask in the still weak sun.

Painted turtles are champions of cold weather activity. Lazell, in his book, The Broken Archipelago, writes of seeing them swim under the ice. Hatchlings often overwinter in the nest, miraculously withstanding freezing temperatures just a few inches below the surface.

Thailand Seizes over 1,400 Endangered Turtles

Thu Feb 1, 12:29 AM ET - Thai authorities have seized more than 1,400 live endangered turtles believed to be bound for illegal sale at Bangkok pet markets, a customs official and a US-based animal rights group have said.

The seized animals, worth an estimated $23,000 were found in a suitcase in a public bus heading for Bangkok in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, some 280 kilometers (173 miles) south of the capital, they said.

"Custom officials checked the bus at a check-point and discovered the animals. But no one in the bus claimed the suitcase," a Thai official from WildAid said, adding no one was arrested.

"These animals are not (from Thailand) and are very likely to be sold at pet markets in Bangkok," she said.

The seized animals included 1,043 endangered pig-nosed turtles, 248 snake-necked turtles, 131 star tortoises and 33 arapaima fish.

Kreecha Kirdsriphan, chief inspector of Thailand's custom department, said the seized animals were from Indonesia and were currently under the care of the Fishery Department in Bangkok.

Thailand, with its highly developed infrastructure and location, has become a transportation centre for the illicit animal trade in Southeast Asia, animal rights groups say.

Although a smuggler could face up to four years in prison or a fine of about 40,000 baht (1,100 dollars) under Thai laws, the illegal wildlife trade remains rampant here, including at Bangkok's biggest Chatuchak market. Copyright © 2007 Agence France Presse

Launch of Massachusetts Turtle Atlas

The Massachusetts Turtle Atlas was officially launched at the Amherst Turtle Symposium on 2/24/07. The Atlas is an initiative of the Turtle Conservation Project and Massachusetts' Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). It's a way for citizen scientists to help biologists learn about turtle populations in the state.              

How does the Turtle Atlas help turtles?
Several species of New England turtles are in decline. Turtle Atlas monitors' observations are combined with others to learn how the state's turtles are doing. The information can lead to more effective methods of protecting and restoring species.

Register to be a Turtle Monitor by going to www.turtleatlas.org