Wild caught terrapins

[rmbion]

I recently read something on Kingsnake thatI found disturbing; reference made to someone selecting several dozen female terrapins from as many as 5000 wild caught individuals. Since this was, I assume, merely one “batch,” I wonder if the Northern population can tolerate such intrusion. Are these wild caught individuals making their way into the pet trade from commercial operations (including those that turn up in various fish nets), or is the demand from the pet trade causing excessive collection?

[Stephen Chew]

These specimens are harvested for overseas consumption but it is my understanding that this is also the source for local pet distributors and wholesalers as well. It is certainly a very disturbing scenario with that many specimens being harvested. I doubt the pet trade itself is driving the excessive collection but make no mistake, regardless of whether it is a driving force, it has to have an effect on terrapin populations. The diamondback is an irresistible turtle but purchasing wild-caughts from such commercial practices should be discouraged, especially with the widespread availability of captive bred specimens due to hit the market soon. Some may be attracted by the availability of breeder- sized individuals to form a breeding project but this should be discouraged for practical reasons alone – conservation reasons aside. Here are a few practical reasons: 1) WC females take a long time to adjust to captivity and to begin egg production again (2-3 years). A captive bred (CB) female hatchling can start producing eggs within a comparable time. 2) WC females will be much choosier in selecting a nesting site. Hence, many will hold on to their eggs and have to be induced. Captive bred specimens are not finicky nesters and will nest readily if provided with a suitable site and medium. 3) WCs are always prone to shell rot which will spread easily to an already established colony without proper quarantining procedures. They will most likely limit the keeper to providing a brackish water environment throughout their entire lifetime. CBs do not require this. 4) Mortality can be quite high with WCs. CBs are very hardy if selected from a reputable breeder. Bottom line is there’s really only 1 advantage to WCs – price. Maybe that’s where our conservation responsibilities should kick in? Food for thought. -Chun — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “rmbion”

[Richard M. Biondi]

Fantastic response! Well thought out and presented. Mr. Chew’s insights and comments on the ramifications of purchasing wild caught diamondbacks provide a distillation of information it would otherwise take many years to discover through personal experience. This has turned out to be the best forum on turtles I have found, with committed and knowledgeable people who obviously take this conservation effort very seriously. That’s what is needed. .

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