Turtles are some of the most amazing animals in Texas, and they are in trouble! Well, some of them are, and some of them the Lone Star's science community just isn't sure about. Which is why the Texas Turtle Watch was developed by the Fort Worth Zoo in 2010, thanks to a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Researchers need information about the turtle population, and one of the best ways they can get that information is from Citizen Scientist. A Citizen Scientist is kinda like a Community Watch Program, except that they are looking for turtles instead of bad guys. The goal of the TTW is to enlist citizens to report their turtle sighting, or lack of them, all across Texas. It can be a one time report from a local pond where you walk the dog, or a weekly report from near your favorite family fishing hole. Even if the kids watch a turtle crossing a road, they would love to know about it! It's also a great way to encourage the kids to go outside!
It's simple! You can follow the link to the Fort Worth Zoo, and print out the turtle report, or just complete it online!
http://www.fortworthzoo.org/conservation/fort-worth-zoo-conservation-highlights/texas-turtle-watch/
The TTW staff is happy to just get a head count of turtles at a particular pond, and to know where in Texas the pond is located. But they would love as much information as they can get! Could you tell if the turtle was a hard shell or a soft shell? Was it larger or smaller than the palm of an adult's hand? Was it in a pond, creek, river or lake?
Now, they aren't looking for you to pull a Steve Irwin (Remember the Crocodile Hunter?), jump in the water and subdue the reptile. But as much information as you can give them will help them to help the turtles! So, try to identify the species of turtle you are counting. There are three species that are the most common in Texas.
Red Eared Slider- They refer to these as the pigeons of the turtle world, because these guys just know how to adapt. They seem to inhabit most of the little waterways and park ponds. Aptly named because of the bright red spot behind their eyes, they are easy to recognize.
River Cooters - Similar in appearance to the Red Eared Sliders, except that the tell-tale red marking is missing. The carapace (top shell) has lighter marking, and the plastron (bottom shell) has dark spots.
Soft Shell Turtles - Their greenish grey coloration, smooth shell and unique snout shaped nose sets them apart from any other type of turtle.
A small pair of birding binoculars may come in handy, as may a small field guide.
What are some other things you can do to help? Glad you asked....
If you see a turtle in the road, stop and move it a safe distance from the road in the direction it was headed.
Don't take turtles from the wild as pets, you are deplenishing the areas genetic gene pool, plus making a sad little turtle.
Never release a pet turtle, or a pet store turtle to the wild. They can be harboring non-native bacteria or germs that our local turtles are not prepared to fight.
Help to protect their habitat through local clean up efforts and reporting violators.
Report turtle poachers! It is illegal to commericially catch/trap any turtles in Texas on public waters.
Be a good land steward! Protect existing turtle habitat on your land, and develop new or expand existing turtle habitat.
Tell local schools and groups, such as Scouts, how they can help. Encourage teachers and leaders to contact the Fort Worth Zoo or download a curriculum & training guide. Groups can "adopt" a lake or pond to do monthly or bi-monthly observations and report to the TTW.
You can download a copy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife guide, An Introduction to Texas Turtles, at
http://www.texasturtles.org/Turtles.pdf
Why did the turtle cross the road? She, and it is almost always a she, is looking for a high, sandy place to lay her eggs. Returning her to the water would be like scooping up a pregnant lady in labor at the hospital parking lot and driving her back to her home. Thanks..not!
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