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jkfactor.
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Terrapin Station at USNA/GP
Several comments about #562 During turtle surveys in the Maryland Chesapeake and other tidewater areas, I have seen several times other turtles in brackish areas, mainly mud, painted, snapper, red belly, slider. Interestingly, a lovely batch of spotted turtles exists adjacent to my main study site, however, this species seems to stay within the freshwater wetland area. Many appear surprised to learn that spotted turtles occur so near the tidewater, but frequently I find them in this environment . Regarding taking wild terrapins and placing them in fresh you may notice that their flesh will puff up during the transition from brackish to fresh. The terrapin’s system is trying to equalize its body fluids to the ambient waters. If you must acclimate to fresh I would do this gradually. I have lost some large females which I bought off the chopping block. I placed them in slightly brackish and noticed the swelling. After a day or two I notice the flesh turning reddish, i.e. blood vessels breaking perhaps. Two of these died quickly, perhaps because they were mishandled (kept dry without water) while in the wholesale fish house. I would always condition the water with a little salt, just like I do with goldfish. I believe the brackish preference of terrapins has kept them healthy and resistant to injury. Be advised and careful in the process. Also – as a conservationist of terrapins I must discourage any take from the wild. However, as a fan of terrapins, I can understand the temptation, particularly since many are harvested for food. In any case, males make the better captive terrapin since these will not grow as large. Large females grow more rotund and therefore have difficulty in hard bottom containment. Never place a terrapin of unknown origin back to the wild. I gather this occurs more frequently then we realize since I find so many terrapins with markings or the remnants of shell rot. Regardless, please encourage all NOT to replace to the wild any terrapin which has not been raised to be released. more later mw
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so your saying i can have them in fresh water but i would have to slowly introduce them to fresh water… hmmm. i guess i can do that. how much salt should i start out with? (per gallon) — In diamondbackterrapins@y…, “Terrapin Station at USNA/GP”
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