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Mar-25-2010 01:53printcomments

A Story About Springtime and Turtles

Wildlife viewing is an incredible and peaceful activity. We can learn to live together.

Willamette Turtles
Courtesy: willametteturtles.com/about.html

(SALEM, Ore.) - Finally, the first days of spring are upon us. The birds are singing, flowers are popping up, and creatures are starting to emerge from their winter nooks to explore once again.

Who doesn’t love spring?

We, as Oregonians, have an outdoor culture. We cannot resist the temptation of getting out and feeling the sun on our shoulders, breathing in the fresh air. It is, of course, our wilderness that we love so much.

Before you head out for the first adventures of the year there are several things that should be considered. We humans are not the only ones enjoying the sun rays that have been hiding for so many months.

Spring is the time of year when the animals are feeding on the new growth, exploring and reclaiming their territory, and seeking out a mate. Respect their space. Watch from a distance. Many animals (especially birds, turtles and frogs) are easily disturbed and may leave their territory if there is too much human encroachment.

Speaking of turtles - please, please give them their space! I love turtles and they are very important to our aquatic ecosystems. It is important to know that both of Oregon’s native turtle species; the Western Painted Turtle and the Western Pond Turtle, are extremely endangered.

There are several key factors to this tragedy.

First off is the loss of habitat. Our water systems are increasingly polluted, disrupted by humans, or drained and filled to make room for subdivisions.

The second is invasive species. Bullfrogs are taking over our water systems at an incredible rate. They eat almost everything, including baby turtles. The red eared slider is another invasive species that is destroying our native turtle species. They live in the same habitats and use the same breeding grounds. It is important to know that it is illegal to own, transport, sell, or release a red eared slider in Oregon. If you have one or know someone who has one you should contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife. DO NOT RELEASE your turtle!

There are several things we can do to help these species.

First, if you see turtles sunbathing, try as hard as you can to not disturb them. Move slowly and patiently. Turtles need UVB rays from the sun to be able to digest their food - and if they do not get enough sunlight they will starve, regardless of the amounts of food they eat.

Report any turtle sighting to the department of fish and wildlife. There is a massive project under way right now to identify and protect areas where native turtles are living. Please remember, the presence of aquatic life not only tells us about the health of our water systems but helps to improve it.

Wildlife viewing is an incredible, peaceful activity. We can learn to live together. Don’t try to catch wild animals. Remember when you are out in nature that this is their home! Leave the area as clean, or cleaner, than it was when you got there. Be aware of the animals around you. We have the power to bring these species back if everyone gives a little.

For more information about native species please visit: willametteturtles.com/about.html

To read the laws regarding native and invasive species please visit: dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/turtles.asp

To report a turtle sighting please visit: oregonzoo.org/Turtles/

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Daniel Johnson March 25, 2010 12:41 pm (Pacific time)

Amanda: Here's an anecdote from Verlyn Klinkenborg, Jan 1, 2007 in the NYT:

"Sorting through photos I took in Kansas a couple of months ago, I found some digital snapshots of an ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) making its way across a gravel road. I had stopped the car and moved the turtle, in the direction it was pointed, to the other side of the road. Having written a book in the voice of a tortoise [Timothy; or, Notes of an Abject Reptile], I was of course all courtesy and did not peer closely. But last night I did look closely at the photos I took. And there is the turtle, gazing at me with a vivid orange eye, its pebbled forelimbs dotted with orange, its domed shell inscribed in an unknown cuneiform, as if to remind me that order is where you find it."

I recommend his book, Timothy


gp March 25, 2010 11:06 am (Pacific time)

I love this story. I remember a box turtle that used to come around this time of year when I was a girl, I can't remember if I ever knew if it was native or not but it was wonderful to see this creature every year and know it had been safe all winter. If lived in the neighbor's garden.

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