The Tortuga Gazette Founded in 1964 and Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education Volume 54, Number 2

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California Turtle & Tortoise Club the Tortuga Gazette Founded in 1964 and dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education Volume 54, Number 2 | March/April 2018

Adult star tortoises, Geochelone elegans, enjoying their meal. Indian star tortoise, Geochelone elegans (Schoepff, 1795)

The Indian Star Tortoise text and photographs by Ralph Hoekstra have written this in the hope juveniles purportedly originating from rocks,” that they are too fragile and that what I have learned about European breeding colonies. Also are difficult to breed. the Indian star tortoise—Geo- interspersed in this writing are items The star tortoise complex chelone elegans—will increase their I gleaned out of some literature, I Before I go any further, I should survival under captive conditions. either given to me by other enthusi- state that my experience is from What I have learned is based upon asts or obtained on the internet. This caring for what is categorized as the my personal experiences with these narrative chronicles my adventures smaller Indian star tortoises. Although tortoises over many years. In that with these tortoises while, at the the star tortoise complex has no time I have had good fortune to same time, hopes to pass on advice subspecies, there are many literature watch over 50 hatchlings break out of that I was given and what I, too, have sources that describe three physically their eggs. found that works for me. unique groupings of the Indian star Starting with a trio of what their I also hope what you read here will tortoise. original owner thought to be Sri help dispel what I have found to be Two of the recognized groups are Lankan star tortoises, my collection untrue—that star tortoises have no to be found on the Indian Subcon- grew to four pairs of adults and eight personality, that they are just “pretty tinent, which includes Pakistan and 2 March/April 2018

C The Indian Star Tortoise by Ralph Hoekstra 1 O The Secret to Turtle Hibernation: Butt-breathing by Prof. Jacqueline Litzgus 8 N Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph. D. 9 T First Annual Holiday Giving: 2017 Donations by Abigail DeSesa 10 E The Turtle’s Garden: Pelargonium species, Geranium 12 N Meetings and Programs 13 T Foothill Chapter Upcoming Events; Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission S monitoring sea turtles, manatees during cold weather 14 a third on the island nation of Sri Lanka. The two groups from India are separated by size. Those found in Northwest India are the largest. (Choudhury and Bhupathy 1993). There is some anecdotal information that a large female was found to be 15 in (380 mm) in length and weighed 15 lbs (7 kg). W. Holm- strom). The average size of my females is just over 7 in (180 mm) and my males, just under 6 in (150 mm). The size difference between the two groups found in India is consid- erable. There are other differences, namely, the age when attaining sexual maturity, the shell color, and the size of eggs. I have read that the individuals from Sri Lanka may attain a size comparable to the larger Indian variety. However, the size of my original trio, thought to be Sri Lankans by Nine adult star tortoises near the entrance to their outdoor house. their original owner, is right at the average size of my adults. The Sri to have a black background. of their large size, they are kept with Lankans that I have seen in other To complicate the classification adult radiated tortoises. To date that collections and in photographs have by location even further, I recently group has produced no offspring. broader yellow stripes than those I heard of the possibility of a fourth Another experienced keeper had a displayed by Indian stars. group within the same Geochelone group of these large star tortoises for elegans species, and that is a several years in the hope of breeding small family of star tortoises, them. She referred to them as “pretty possibly from Pakistan. Examples rocks.” Nothing she could do would of this group may include those initiate mating activity. Admittedly tortoises imported to the U.S. as these are just two examples of breed- being captive bred in Europe. ing results with the animals imported Indian star tortoises are a CITES in the 1960s. If other keepers had Appendix II species and are no similar experiences, the star tortoise longer legally exported. Prior to could have received the reputation the passage of the Indian Wild- as being hard to breed and very life Protection Act of 1972, Star inactive. tortoises were heavily exploited As far as star tortoises being la- for the pet trade. beled “fragile,” I have an opinion on Two Sri Lankan hybrid hatchlings photographed in I know of a group of very large that subject. In the early/mid 1990’s February 2004. star tortoises that were legally im- a large number of hatchlings showed ported before that date. Assuming up in various U.S. markets. They 00 The larger stars from Northern In- that they were adults in the 1960s, were selling for around $250 . At dia are said to have a brownish back- that would make them at least 60 that price, there were a lot of willing ground behind their yellow stripes. years old. Some of the females are buyers. What they bought were little The ones found in the south are said nearly 14 in (356 mm), and, because guys that weren’t very healthy. A lot Volume 54, Number 2 3

She also said to do fecal examina- tions in order to check for parasites. Even in captivity under clean conditions, she said that they had parasites showing up in fecal exams. She also said that they need regular soakings for the purposes of hydration, defe- cating, and for passing urates. I got them home and placed the three of them in the only suitable Patterning on the plastrons of two star tortoises. indoor structure I had. It was in my unheated garage. It was a 2 ft by 3 ft of them already had bacterial infec- business trip to the Seattle area, I was (0.6 m by 1 m) wooden house heat- tions probably due to being subject- fortunate enough to receive an offer ed with a ceramic heater, and it had ed to cold temperatures and other to purchase a captive-bred trio of an 18 in (46 cm) fixture holding a UV unhealthy conditions during their these beautiful tortoises consisting of fluorescent bulb. travels to the U.S. markets. I believe a 12-year-old male and two four-year- it to be a fair assumption that half of old females. The male was 5.5 in (125 Nesting them died. Another factor to consider mm), one female was just under 7 in Within a few days of them being as to them being labeled fragile is (175 mm) and the smaller one was introduced to their new house, the that a lot of star tortoises hatch out just under 6.75 in (170 mm). larger of the two females started in the winter months. Anxious sellers Their owner knew I lived in digging a nest. She soon discovered and buyers may agree to shipping Southern California and had expe- that 5 in (127 mm) of substrate was these hatchlings when it is too cold rience raising tortoises. She wanted not enough to dig a proper nest. She to safely ship them. her tortoises to have a chance to live “hit bottom” on several tries and decided that this was not a good site My Star Tortoise Collection and reproduce in a sunny location. She had raised these torts from the for a nest. I couldn’t raise the level As far as my adult stars, I conclud- time they were hatchlings. Living in of the substrate for fear of getting her ed that I am the owner of the smaller the Northwest region of the Unit- too close to the ceramic heat emitter. tortoises from the southern part of ed States, these tortoises had little This house was not designed to be a the Indian Subcontinent. I base this chance to live outdoors. She kept permanent home for a trio of nesting on the following information. My them comfortably warm indoors in a stars. If nesting is to be done indoors, females nested at four years of age medium-sized structure. She said that they will need at least 8 in (200 mm) upon attaining a size of 7 in (180 there was a lot of breeding activity, of nesting material. mm) and at a weight of around 2 lbs and she guessed that the females Another local Indian star owner (1000 gm). were gravid. recently solved a similar problem. The other characteristic of my Before taking responsibility for their She has a pair of three-year-old stars. group that the literature ascribes to husbandry, I got some basic advice At the time her female weighed 4 lbs the smaller Indian Stars is egg size from her on how to keep them. She (1.8 kg) and measured 8 in (200 mm). and clutch size. The eggs my females said to keep them warm! They come This female started to nest indoors in deposit weigh from 0.8 to 0.9 oz (22 from India (or Sri Lanka) located an enclosure that could not provide to 26 gm). Eggs from the larger star on or near the equator. They need an adequate substrate depth for tortoises from the north can weigh a heat gradient from at least 95°F nesting. She moved the tortoise after up to 1.3 oz (38 gm), (Smith et al., (35°C) to a slightly cooler area when she started her nest digging ritual 1931). Clutch sizes from my females kept indoors. and moved her to a tub. The tub had have ranged from two eggs to one of an eight-inch substrate six eggs. The average clutch size is made up of a mixture of close to three eggs. My largest female planting mix and damp- nested five times last year, the oldest ened sphagnum moss. female has averaged two clutches The tortoise, being in her over the last three years and the two “nesting trance,” kept on youngest ones nested once last year digging and nested suc- for their first time. cessfully when moved I feel it is important to make this to the tub. At least one differentiation. The advice for caring of the eggs proved to be for the larger stars may be different fertile. than what I have learned during my Back to my personal time with the smaller variety. With account. On the next this disclaimer I can now proceed warm day I put my with my experiences. three new star tortoises The First Star Tortoises out doors. The largest In February 1997, while on a female chose a sunny Nesting star tortoise with her eggs. spot on top of a dirt 4 March/April 2018

continue until sundown. In the late One had a large, open crack making fall and early winter the late after- it useless to incubate. The remain- noon temperature could get down ing one went into the incubator at a to below 60°F (15°C) where I live. slightly higher temperature setting of With benefit of the heat of the sun 86.5°F (30°C). In February of 1998 going away, and with temperatures my second male hatched. going below 60°F, her strength will Hatchlings be diminished. I was tracking the weight of the If she has completed depositing her hatchlings on a weekly basis. I be- eggs, I’ll put her in her heated house came concerned that at eight weeks where she can continue moving old the first hatchling stopped gaining her rear legs as if still in the nesting weight. It went about six weeks trance. If she still is digging her nest without gaining weight. I called the and not through depositing her eggs, person I got my adults from, and she I’ll put a clamp-on heat lamp fixture said that I wasn’t keeping it warm Star tortoise nesting in the dark. A clip-on hood over her until she completes the nest enough. The house that it was in had with a ceramic heat emitter provides warmth and deposits the eggs. I reward all while she completes the nesting process. a heat source that “maxed” out at females who had a nesting with a around 83°F (24°C). The hatchling fresh-picked hibiscus flower! mound a promptly dug a nest. These needed a new home! eggs were calcified over and were Incubating the Eggs not viable. This female was gravid, When I had my first egg to incu- but having no suitable place to nest, bate I called an experienced star she retained the eggs. The weather tortoise keeper to find out how to became warmer in April, and I was incubate it. He told me to incubate able to put them outdoors in a pen the egg in a plastic tub filled half- that had a heated house. way with vermiculite with enough In August the bigger of the two water added to equal the weight of females nested again. She deposited the vermiculite—a 50/50 mixture of three eggs and when finished doing water and vermiculite by weight. I this, she started to cover the nest site. also weighed the egg and marked the Hatchling star tortoise beside a U.S. quarter She covered the mound with the top with an “X.” As he instructed, I coin for scale. dirt she had excavated. I thought she set the thermostat at 85°F (29°C). In was finished and I could now get the a little over a week the egg showed I constructed a wooden, hinged eggs. signs of being fertile. A white circle top for a 15 gallon (57 liter) aquar- However, she wasn’t done. Al- appeared under the “X!” I found out ium. By making it out of wood I though the nest site was covered, she in 120 days that this temperature was able to mount an 18 in (48 cm) now started disguising the site. She setting produces all males. fluorescent fixture in the back and a did this by compacting the dirt—by In October the other female dug a light fixture on one side to house a beating it down with her rear limbs nest in about the same spot. I found ceramic heat emitter. By locating the and then using her plastron as a “pile this out too late to move her after she heat emitter on one end I was able driver.” I let her continue this process deposited and positioned the eggs. to provide a heat gradient from 95°F and when she moved from the nest I (35°C) to 85°F (29°C) on the other carefully removed the eggs. end. I completed the new house Only one of her three eggs sur- in time to put the second hatchling vived this punishment. One was in it soon after hatching. The first broken, and another had a crack too hatchling started to gain weight. The large to repair. But one was good! It second hatchling always showed showed no signs of being calcified. continual weight increases. What I learned from this nesting Housing the Adult Tortoises was to move the female after she I now had to get serious with build- starts to back fill the nest and remove ing a suitable structure for housing the eggs. I then put her back over the the adults indoors during the cold nest and let her continue the pro- months of November through March. cess. If it is a late season nest I help I also decided that the stars deserved her out by filling the nest with some a better outdoors location. of the original soil plus planter mix. The time to create both the indoor Since they quite often will pick out and outdoors projects became avail- the same area to nest, the planter mix able when I retired from my work in helps make the soil more pliable. May 1998. I built a new house for They begin their nesting in the late their outdoors use first. It is “barn- afternoon, and this process could Newly-hatched star tortoise with its plump yolk sac visible. shaped,” made up of Styrofoam Volume 54, Number 2 5

the levels would have of producing females. It worked! to provide for an 8 in My collection increased with the (20 cm) nesting area. Of purchase of a male who had survived course, each level was bad husbandry. His left side didn’t to have a fluorescent fix- develop correctly and is “C”-shaped. ture to provide light and Other than being misshaped he is a UV source for vitamin a very healthy little guy. My next

D3 absorption. I also acquisition was an adult pair I bought added a requirement for from a local keeper who wanted to small wattage halogen concentrate on a single species. I also lighting. bought a pair which became avail- This concept was put able when their owner died in an into a set of drawings accident. Finally I obtained a fourth and I began its construc- male to even up my collection of tion. It took a lot longer adults at four pairs. than I had planned. It Feeding and Activity Routines was still incomplete in A typical week finds me going to December 1998 when a local farmer’s market to buy fresh the two original females greens for all of my tortoises. I buy showed signs of wanting escarole, endive, and romaine lettuc- to nest: each was climb- es. The greens I buy include dandeli- ing their walls and each ons, mizuna *, mustards, collards, and other, a good sign that turnip tops. I also pick out a week’s they wanted to get rid of supply of sweet potatoes that I give their eggs. them cooked and sliced as an appe- Their new structure tizer. I chop the lettuces and greens During cold weather (November through March), my star tortoises was about 80% com- fine for the smaller tortoises and a live indoors in this three-level custom-built housing unit. plete. I hurriedly filled little larger for the bigger tortoises. I one section of the mix them and bag them up in plastic sandwiched in between ¼-inch bottom level with an 8 in (20 cm) bags, seven of each size for a week’s plywood for insulation. Its floor size mixture of dampened potting soil, worth of feeding. is approximately 3 ft by 3 ft (1 m by peat moss and sand. I jury-rigged When I open the door to the 1 m). In the peak it has a fluorescent temporary walls to keep them from house of the adults to let them get at fixture to use when the weather escaping and turned on the heat. their morning meal of greens, I have doesn’t allow them to go outdoors. Each female nested the same day. to be prepared to hand feed them It also has a light fixture in which I This time I was able to move them their ration of sliced, cooked sweet installed a ceramic heat emitter. after they nested and all the eggs I planted their pen with perennial potatoes. It becomes a real challenge rye grass, except for 4 by 7 ft (1.2 when four or more of them insist by 2.1 m) oval dirt area. I planted on being the first to get this treat. tall grasses in this dirt area to give Some insist on being hand-fed. them shade from the sun and also a It’s also a challenge to make place to nest. I put some large plant sure that this treat is evenly dis- saucers in their pen to act as water tributed. Not all of them charge dishes. I like the ones from Walmart the door. Some wake up and that have sloped sides. So they now begin the day on a more leisurely had a place to live until October. This basis. For them I place their treats gave me time to plan and build their under the greens placed on a winter quarters. paper plate in their house. After This structure was to go into my this feeding frenzy, they settle garage to replace six smaller struc- into their routines. tures. I wanted it to be around 3 ft Two of the males seem to share (1 m) deep and 7 ft (1.8 m) wide. I “sentry” duties and march around wanted to be able to view each level the perimeter of the enclosure. and to provide for air circulation. One of them greets every visitor Hand feeding an adult female star tortoise a slice of by making a direct route to the The design requirements evolved cooked sweet potato. to specify it being insulated, having “intruder.” A drink out of one of the water dishes or a soak in it is an- three levels, with each level capa- were saved from being stomped other one of their morning routines. ble of being partitioned. I wanted on. These eggs were weighed and This activity is followed by them each level to have separate heating since there were more than one, I controls with enough heat sources numbered them. I cranked up the to reach 95°F (35°C). At least one of * Mizuna: an oriental vegetable in the incubator to 89°F (31°C) in the hope cabbage family used as a salad green 6 March/April 2018 finding a place to soak up some sun, double to 10.6 to 17.6 or hide from it on hot days. Around oz (300 to 500 gm). It is noon they once again get hungry, their fourth year when and most of them will browse on their growth rate is grasses. I also offer them some awesome when it again fruit and tomato leftovers from my doubles to 21.2 oz (600 lunch. I dust their food with calcium, gm) for males and 35.2 reptile vitamins and minerals. When oz (1000 gm) for females. indoors, I use a supplement that has Their growth in years vitamin D3. five and up proceeds at Stars being diurnal (having two a much slower rate, if daily periods of activity), they will at all. Again this data is once again start looking for food in based upon my group of the late afternoon. I think this is a adult star tortoises and great feature of these tortoises. They their hatchlings. become active after most of my other Male star tortoise bred by the author and purchased by CTTC The star tortoises that tortoises have retired for the day. member Diana Gatti, who says the tortoise is her best breeder. I have that came from When I was still working, I could breeding colonies in look forward to coming home and not been verified.) What the ac- Europe have not come seeing activity in their pen. counts also don’t state is the size of close to achieving these growth rates. the tortoises. Maybe the larger stars Temperature Requirements I have a beautiful male with very can safely withstand 50°F (10°C), but wide stripes and a huge tail. When I’d like now to discuss the question I would not want to risk it. I got him he was 4.375 in (110 mm) of their temperature requirements. I and 9 oz (267 gm). His measure- use 60°F (15°C) as their minimum Growth Rates in Captivity ments today are the same. outdoor temperature need. In spring, Star tortoise hatchlings raised Another group of seven that I am when outdoor temperatures exceed in captivity show almost startling caring for have been in the U.S. that temperature, I will place them growth rates. Mine have started life for over a year. They average 4 in their outdoors compound. Con- weighing in as little as (0.3 oz) 9 gm, .5 in (115 mm) and 10 oz (300 gm). versely, in the late fall, when daytime while the average is close to (0.5 oz) .5 They have very narrow stripes. This temperatures fall below 60°F (15°C), 15 gm. I use an electronic diet scale group’s growth has been minimal if I’ll bring them in to their indoors to track their progress. The scale reg- at all. One wonders whether they home. I think that this limit provides isters both ounces and grams. I prefer are dwarfs. I have seen the males them with a margin of safety. I have to use grams for the granularity that mounting the females. Has the stress read accounts that temperatures in system provides. of shipping set their growth back? Or India may drop into the 50°F to 59°F Weights at the one-year mark are they following the typical growth (10°C to 15°C) and that these cold have ranged between (2.6 oz) 75 gm rate of star tortoises in the wild? In temperatures may last up to four for males and (3.5 oz) 110 gm for any case, I am sure that those who months. The star tortoises will seek females. At two years of age, their bought them in the hope of having out shelter and wait for the warmth weight would double to around 5.2 a breeding group have been disap- to return. (Whether this period of to 8.8 oz (150 to 250 gm). At three pointed. inactivity is actually aestivation has years old, their weight would again Illness I have had some setbacks while caring for these tortoises. It seems that no mat- ter how careful you are with them, you will incur problems. Weather conditions can change while they are outdoors, and, if you are not around to put them in where it is warm, they can get a cold. The symptoms will be a runny nose and a rasping noise when they breathe. If untreated this can lead to serious illnesses. 11 Indian star hatchlings in their indoor enclosure. An untreated tor- Volume 54, Number 2 7

plant in the end away from the heat source and near where I feed them. Their appropriately-sized water dish is in the center and their hide box is near the heat source. Thermometers are used on either end of the terrarium to monitor temperature gradients. A humidity gauge is used to try to keep the humidity levels at about 60%. I used this method recently to raise a 6-week old Radiated tortoise for two years, and it left with a smooth carapace! Afterword In 2006, when I downsized my tortoise collection, I sent my remaining Front view of the hatchling terrarium with the top raised; accessories include ceramic heat Indian stars to a good friend where, fixture, a fluorescent light fixture, thermometers, and a humidity gauge. as of this date, they are living a great toise, if not separated from the oth- growth years. The method I used life. They are being kept indoors in a ers, will infect them. Then you will to raise Indian stars, Burmese stars large and interesting pen. Most, if not have a bigger problem to deal with. (Geochelone platynota), and Radi- all, of my hatchlings have become When I find a tortoise that I suspect ated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) adults, and are continuing to increase has a cold, I separate it from the oth- is under high humidity conditions. the numbers of this species. r ers. I put it in a heated isolation area (Note: the conditions I am about to References where I can observe it. I weigh it and describe here do not apply to Desert Choudhury, B. and Bhupathy, S. (1993). compare its weight to my records of tortoises!) Turtle trade in India, a study of tortoise it. A loss of 10 percent from its last I use 2 to 3 in (5 to 8 cm) of damp- and fresh water turtles. TRAFFIC–India, weight is a definite warning sign. If ened substrate made up of a 50/50 50 pp. it is lethargic and doesn’t readily eat mixture of peat moss and coir (coco- McCloud, K. (2008). A Photographic any of its favorite foods, it is time to nut husk fiber). As suggested by Dr. Identification Guide to Star-Patterned worry. When these symptoms ap- Paul Gibbons of the Turtle Conser- Tortoises. Identification Guides for Wild- pear—runny/bubbly nose, lethargy, vancy, I now cover the substrate with life Law Enforcement, No.12. USFWS, and lack of appetite—it is a certain- a layer of rice hulls that acts as an National Fish and Wildlife Forensics ty that the tortoise is ill. Living in insulating material, and is also safer Laboratory, Ashland, OR. Southern California I have access to than the substrate if ingested. Smith, M. (1931). The Fauna of British competent veterinary care. I always I raise them in a 20-gallon ter- India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Rep- have the tortoise examined by a vet rarium with a hinged, wooden top. tilia and Amphibia, Vol. I. Loricata and to get a diagnosis and a course of Attached to the top are a fluores- Testudines. London: Taylor and Francis. cent tube fixture in the center and a treatment. Ralph Hoekstra is past president of the heat-controlled ceramic heat emitter Turtle and Tortoise Care Society (Long Dealing with Pyramiding at one end. I plant a Pothos indoor (Raised Scutes) Beach) chapter of the California Turtle My Indian stars demonstrated and Tortoise Club. He has been a continuous growth during their first tortoise enthusiast four years of life and achieved sexual for 40 years and maturity at that age. While this is has kept most a positive trait, it can also cause of the tortoise pyramiding of their carapaces. One species that are, husbandry technique to avoid this or were, in the problem that is being used for other pet trade. species, is to feed them once every two days. But, by doing this with This article was originally Indian stars, they would be deprived published in the of the nourishment they need every Tortuga Gazette day during their primary growth 48(6), September/ years, i.e., years one through four. By October 2012. greatly limiting their food intake, you might have a smaller tortoise with a smooth carapace after four years but it would have missed its best Seven hatchling stars having a meal of finely-chopped greens. 8 March/April 2018 The secret to turtle hibernation: Butt-breathing by Jacqueline Litzgus, Professor, Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada To breathe or not to breathe, that is furnaces—that need to constantly over the winter and an ectotherm sit- the question. fuel our bodies with food to generate ting in that water will have a similarly What would happen if you were body heat and maintain a constant stable body temperature. Air, on the submerged in a pond where the wa- temperature to stay alive and well. other hand, has a low specific heat ter temperature hovered just above When it’s cold out, we pile on so its temperature fluctuates, and gets freezing and the surface was capped clothes to trap metabolic heat and too cold for turtle survival. by a lid of ice for 100 days? stay warm. We could never pick up Crampy muscles Well, obviously you’d die. enough oxygen across our vascular- An ice-covered pond presents And that’s because you’re not as ized surfaces, other than our lungs, two problems for turtles: they can’t cool as a turtle. And by cool I don’t to supply the high demand of our surface to take a breath, and little just mean amazing, I mean literal- metabolic furnaces. new oxygen gets into the water. On ly cool, as in cold. Plus, you can’t top of that, there are breathe through your butt. other critters in the pond But turtles can, which is just one of consuming the oxygen the many reasons that turtles are truly that was produced by awesome. aquatic plants during the Cold weather slow down summer. As an ectotherm—an animal Over the winter, as the that relies on an external source of oxygen is used up, the heat—a turtle’s body temperature pond becomes hypoxic tracks that of its environment. If the (low oxygen content) or pond water is 1°C [33.8°F], so is the anoxic (depleted of ox- turtle’s body. ygen). Some turtles can But turtles have lungs and they handle water with low breathe air. So, how is it possible for oxygen content —others them to survive in a frigid pond with cannot. a lid of ice that prevents them from Snapping turtles and coming up for air? The answer lies “Turtles will bask in the sun to warm up and ease their painted turtles tolerate in the relationship between body crampy muscles.” Male midland painted turtle (Chrysemys this stressful situation by picta dorsalis) basking in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontar- temperature and metabolism. io, Canada. Photo © 2011 by Matt Keevil. Source: Creative switching their metabo- A cold turtle in cold water has a Commons; license: CC-BY-SA-3.0. lism to one that doesn’t slow metabolism. The colder it gets, require oxygen. This abil- the slower its metabolism, which For humans, a change in body ity is amazing, but can be dangerous, translates into lower energy and oxy- temperature is generally a sign of ill- even lethal, if it goes on for too long, gen demands. ness, that something is wrong. When because acids build up in their tissues When turtles hibernate, they rely a turtle’s body temperature changes, as a result of this metabolic switch. on stored energy and uptake oxygen it’s simply because the environment But how long is “too long”? Both from the pond water by moving it has become warmer or colder. snapping turtles and painted turtles across body surfaces that are flush But even ectotherms have their can survive forced submergence at with blood vessels. In this way, they limits. With very few exceptions cold water temperatures in the lab for can get enough oxygen to support (e.g., box turtles), adult turtles cannot well over 100 days. Painted turtles their minimal needs without using survive freezing temperatures; they are the kings of anoxia-tolerance. their lungs. Turtles have one area that cannot survive having ice crystals in They mobilize calcium from their is especially well vascularized— their their bodies. This is why freshwater shells to neutralize the acid, in much butts. turtles hibernate in water, where their the same way we take calcium-con- See, I wasn’t kidding, turtles really body temperatures remain relatively taining antacids for heartburn. can breathe through their butts. (The stable and will not go below freezing. In the spring, when anaerobic technical term is cloacal respiration.) Water acts as a temperature buffer; turtles emerge from hibernation, they it has a high specific heat, which Not frozen, just cold are basically one big muscle cramp. means it takes a lot of energy to It’s like when you go for a hard run We are not turtles. We are endo- change water temperature. Pond wa- therms—expensive metabolic heat —your body switches to anaerobic ter temperatures remain quite stable metabolism, lactic acid builds up and Volume 54, Number 2 9 you get a cramp. The turtles are des- perate to bask in the sun to increase Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. their body temperature, to fire up A varied selection of recent articles, stories and sites on the Web that some of you their metabolism and eliminate these may find as interesting as I did. This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks acidic by-products. And it’s hard to move when they’re Temperature-dependent Sex De- Video – A Green Sea Turtle that crampy, making them vulnera- termination in the Española Giant Named Ellie | Wonderful youtube ble to predators and other hazards. Tortoise | Biologists studying tem- TED talk from biologist Brendan perature-dependent sex determination Godley. Spring emergence can be a danger- in Galápagos tortoises from Española ous time for these lethargic turtles. (Chelonoidis hoodensis) also found Video – Treadmills for Hatchling Cold weather turtle tracking sexual dimorphism in the hatchlings – Sea Turtles | Hatchling sea turtles male hatchlings had more large dorsal have more stamina than graduate Field biologists tend to do their re- scales on their tails than did females. students! :) search during the spring and summer, when animals are most active. But in Video - Spider Tortoises at Fort Appeals Court Backs Environ- Worth Zoo | Watch Madagascar mentalists Fighting Swordfish Ontario, where the winters are long, spider tortoises at the Fort Worth Zoo Fishery Expansion A Ninth Circuit many turtle species are inactive for | with Seamus Ehrhard. Court of Appeals panel agreed with the half of their lives. Video - Sexual Dimorphism Turtle Island Restoration Network that Understanding what they do and in Red-bellied Turtles | Video the NMFS acted improperly when it need during winter is essential to explains the science behind why male increased the allowable take of Hawaii their conservation and habitat protec- and female turtles are different sizes. sea turtles by the longline swordfish fishery. tion, especially given that two-thirds of Genetic Variation in Manouria New Fossil Turtle From Algora, turtle species are at risk of extinction. emys | Biologists have published the My research group has monitored first comparison of genetic and mor- Spain | A recently discovered fossil several species of freshwater turtles phological variation in Manouria emys, turtle, Algorachelus peregrinus, may the fourth largest tortoise species. have migrated from Africa to Spain during their hibernation. We attach some 95 million years ago. tiny devices to the turtles’ shells that Green Sea Turtle Sex Ratios Al- measure temperature and allow us to tered by Climate Change | Rising New Publications follow them under the ice. beach temperatures have driven one •African Sea Turtle Newsletter. We’ve found that all species of Australia’s green sea turtle nesting colonies to produce largely females for •Abstracts of the 2018 Interna- choose to hibernate in wetland loca- the last 20 years. tional Sea Turtle Symposium. tions that hover just above freezing, •Latest issue of Herpetological that they move around under the ice, Who’s Your Daddy Little Logger- head? | Researchers identified the Conservation and Biology. hibernate in groups and return to the paternity of 989 loggerhead sea turtle CTTC On Facebook | For breaking same places winter after winter. hatchlings from 51 nests on Sanibel news updates, visit and “like” us on Despite all this work, we still know Island in Florida and found they were Facebook! so little about this part of turtles’ lives. the offspring of 126 distinct males! So, I do what any committed biolo- Off-road Vehicles at Cape gist would do: I send my students out Hatteras National Seashore | to do field research at -25°C [-13°F]. Economic analysis shows the benefits We are not restricted to fair-weather of restricting vehicles on the beach biology here. considerably outweigh the costs of enforcing the restriction. Besides, there is unparalleled beau- ty in a Canadian winter landscape, especially when you envision all of those awesome turtles beneath the ice, breathing through their butts. r Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline Litzgus. Repub- lished under the Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0.

Is your email address changing? Update your email address through your MailChimp account by clicking the “Update Your Preferences” link on your newsletter notice. Or email your Young Midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) with a Canadian dollar for changes and corrections to scale. Photographed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo © 2010 by D. Gordon E. [email protected] Robertson. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license CC-BY-SA-3.0. 10 March/April 2018

2017 Donations to non-profit organizations

Tortoise Group $10,000 Turtle Survival Alliance 10,000 Kerulos Center 7, 50 0 Turtle Rescue Long Island 5,000 Desert Tortoise Council 5,000 The Living Desert 2,500 Lewis Center for Educational Research 2,500 Judy Roger’s Memorial Tortoise Habitat 2,500 American Tortoise Rescue 2,500 Gopher Tortoise Council 2,500 Hundred Acre Hollows 2,500 Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee 2,500 Turtle & Tortoise Preservation Group 2,500 San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society 1,500 Southwestern Herpetological Society 1,500 Central Texas Tortoise Rescue 1,500 Rio Grande Turtle & Tortoise Club 1,500 Center for Biological Diversity 1,500 Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue 1,500 CTTC Chapters: $1,500 each x 13 19,500

Grand Total of Holiday Giving 2017 $86,000

From the Chair...by Abigail DeSesa First Annual Holiday Giving: 2017 Donations Donations are the life blood of • Recommend by an Executive As a Member, if you would like to every non-profit or charitable orga- Board Member recommend an organization that fits nization, allowing them to fulfill their • Chelonian Related these requirements, please contact stated missions. CTTC is no excep- • Current Charitable 501(c)3 your Chapter’s Executive Board tion. A wonderful woman named Non-profit Organization Delegate for submission no later than Marcella Blechman gave the CTTC • Established and Reputable July 1st annually. After vetting of the the phenomenal ability to not only Additionally, the Executive Board recommended organizations, the en- fulfill our missions, but assist others distributed a total $19,500 to its thir- tire California Turtle &Tortoise Club with theirs, by paying her generosity teen Chapters in good standing; each Executive Board will vote on each forward to fellow organizations sup- received $1,500. Future donations organization and the amount they porting chelonians in need. to outside organizations, as well as will receive, at the annual October At the end of 2017, the California distributions to our chapters, will be meeting. The Annual Holiday Giving Turtle & Tortoise Club, Executive determined by these requirements, is subject to the annual performance Board, gave out donations in its First in addition to how well the Califor- of the Investment Portfolio. Annual Holiday Giving. Nineteen nia Turtle & Tortoise Club Executive Congratulations to the nineteen outside organizations received a total Board’s Investment Portfolio per- organizations that received donations of $66,500. forms. The Investment Portfolio was in the First Annual Holiday Giving The following requirements had created out of the Marcella Blechman for the contributions they bring to the r to be met to be considered for a Estate Donation received in the Fall chelonian world. donation from the California Turtle & of 2016. Tortoise Club Executive Board. Volume 54, Number 2 11 12 March/April 2018 the Pelargonium species (Geranium) Turtle’s Garden planting for chelonians by M A Cohen otanically speaking, Pelargo- The somewhat nium and Geranium are two asymmetrical, B distinct genera within the five-petaled gera- Geraniaceae (cranesbill or storksbill) nium flowers grow family. However, in ordinary usage, in clusters, and gardeners refer to members of the occur in a wide genus Pelargonium by the common range of solid name “geranium,” as in ivy geranium colors, includ- and scented geranium. This article ing white, pink, will employ the commonly-used salmon, laven- terminology while recognizing that a der, orange, red, Pelargonium grandiflorum ‘Angeleyes’, Angeleyes regal geranium. Photo differing botanical vocabulary exists. maroon, purple, © 2008 by Gothika. Source: Creative Commons; licenses: CC-BY- Comprising flowering perennials, and black (yes, SA-4.0,3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0. shrubs, and succulents, most mem- black!). Bicolored bers of the genus Pelargonium are and multicolored blossoms in various winters are mild, geraniums are mod- native to southern Africa. Evergreen color combinations are also available erately drought- and heat-tolerant but ornamentals with diverse leaf forms, commercially. will only take minor episodes of frost. flower colors, and fragrances, gera- From tomentose (woolly) to leath- When geraniums are grown in more niums are among the most popular ery (smooth), the foliage surface tex- extreme climates, a brightly-lit indoor plants grown in temperate and tropi- ture of the geranium differs according location might be a better choice for cal regions worldwide. to variety. The shape of the leaf is cultivating geranium varieties. In any location, plants require Description generally palmate (fan-shaped), and the leaf margin may have deep or average to regular watering for best Woody perennials that often have performance. Because moisture succulent leaves and stems, gerani- shallow lobes. Leaf color ranges from a solid green to a green background on geraniums’ leaves and flowers ums reach mature heights of 1 to 4 promotes fungal diseases, water feet (0.3 to 1.2 meters), usually with accented with bands of colors such as maroon, yellow, and white. early in the day so the plant dries an equal spread, depending on the before nightfall or use a soaker hose. specific variety. Culture Because they do not like “wet feet,” Because of the adaptability of spe- Thriving outdoors in warm, sunny geraniums require well-drained soil. cies geraniums, hundreds of varieties regions where nights are cool and In loamy soil, geraniums need a exist, and plant breeders continue to moderate program of supple- develop many cultivars (“cultivated mentary fertilizing; in sandy varieties” or hybrids). Horticulturists soil, plants will benefit from select and propagate new cultivars applications of all-purpose based on various desirable charac- fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks teristics, such as growth habit, flower when actively growing. color, leaf color, flower abundance, Whether planted in the fragrance, pest and disease resis- garden or in containers, tance, and other qualities. remove faded flowers con- Encompassing characteristics such sistently for abundant bloom as shape, height, spread, appear- production, a procedure ance, and the like, growth habits known as deadheading. vary widely among the commer- Tip-pinching, selectively cially available geraniums. Upright, pruning the tips of growing spreading, and trailing geraniums are Blossoms and leaves of the rose-scented geranium, Pelar- branches, promotes compact utilized as bedding and landscape gonium graveolens, which bears aromatic foliage. Photo © 2005 by Eric Hunt. Source: Creative Commons; license: CC growth, especially in younger plants as well as container plants. BY-SA 2.5. plants. Volume 54, Number 2 13

Geraniums in containers often Click on your Chapter’s website link for the perform best when they are some- Meetings and latest program information. Programs may what pot-bound. Because nutrients Programs be scheduled after newsletter publication. leach out of the soil when watering containerized plants, most species require regular applications of fertilizer Cen-Val Santa Barbara-Ventura 8 March; 12 April Contact the chapter for meeting to grow well. Chino Valley information. Propagation 16 March; 20 April Santa Clarita Propagation of geraniums from 17 March cuttings is simple. An added benefit Foothill 23 March; 27 April TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo) of making cuttings is promoting more 14 March; 11 April compact growth of stems, making for High Desert a more attractive plant. 12 March; 9 April TTCS (Long Beach) Whenever possible, choose Inland Empire 16 March: Don Fisher, creator vigorous, healthy stems without 2 March; 6 April of lifelike turtle statues and planters; 20 April flowers for preparing the softwood Kern County cuttings. Using a sharp knife, scalpel, 12 March; 9 April Valley or single-edge razor blade, cut 2 to 16 March; 20 April Low Desert 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of tip 2 April Executive Board growth just below a node, the place 14 April. Meetings take place Orange County on the stem from which the leaves at the Los Angeles County emerge. 9 March; 13 April Arboretum, Arcadia, CA. Remove leaves from the lowest Ridgecrest 1 or 2 nodes to anchor the cuttings 12 March; 9 April in the soil. Dip the bottoms of the cuttings in rooting hormone, plant the cuttings in loose potting soil, and Other Household Uses of Request for Information and place in a warm, brightly-lit location. Scented Geraniums Photos for an Article about Keep the potting soil evenly moist In addition to use for cut-flower Max and Lillian Greene but not soggy while the cuttings are arrangements, scented geraniums Max and Lillian Greene raised forming their roots. are often dried for use in potpourri. a variety of tortoises at their home Formation of roots should begin in Using steam distillation, concentrat- near Ojai, in Meiners Oaks, CA. 1 to 4 weeks. New growth emerg- ed essential oils are extracted from They called their place “Turtletown,” ing from cuttings indicates that the scented geraniums for use in aroma- sometimes spelled “Turtle Town.” rooting process has succeeded, and therapy and other alternative healing Many of us CTTC members visited cuttings are ready for repotting into treatments. Turtletown and were treated to talks larger containers. As with any unfamiliar product, it by Lillian and a tour of their collec- is wise to consult a medical profes- tion. I am hoping that some members Edibility of Scented Geraniums sional prior to using a new phyto- While some gardening authorities might have taken photographs while chemical, particularly for those with visiting Turtletown, and if so, would question of the edibility of gerani- allergies or other sensitivities. r ums, there is general agreement that you be willing to share copies of the leaves and flowers of scented References them? Any photographs will receive geraniums are edible. Producing Barash, C. (1993). Edible Flowers. 1st ed. Gold- full photo credit in the article. en, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, pp.197-200. scented oils within their leaves, the I would also like to receive any foliage of scented geraniums holds Brenzel, K. (2012). The New Sunset Western recollections or anecdotes you might Garden Book. 9th ed. New York, NY: Time have of your visit for a future article the most intense fragrance, while the Home Entertainment Inc., pp.487-489. in the Gazette. flowers are milder versions of the Linch, J. (1984). How to Grow and Use leaf scents. Foliage scents include Scented Geraniums. [online] Mother The Greenes started their involve- almond, apple, chocolate, cinnamon, Earth News. Available at: https://www. ment with tortoises when Max re- motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/ tired. Lillian kept Turtletown going by ginger, lemon, lime, mint, nutmeg, scented-geraniums-zmaz84jazloeck rose, and strawberry, among others. herself after his death in 1993 until WebMD. (n.d.). Rose Geranium Oil. [online] she died in 1999. In human cuisine, scented geraniums Available at: https://www.webmd.com/ are consumed cooked or raw, and vitamins-supplements/ingredientmo- Please send your responses di- they also add flavor to cakes, cook- no-153-rose%20geranium%20oil.aspx?ac- rectly to Ralph Hoekstra via email at tiveingredientid=153&activeingredientnam- [email protected] r ies, ice creams, jellies, sorbets, and e=rose%20geranium%20oil teas, as well as honeys and sugars. 14 March/April 2018

CTTC Foothill Chapter: Upcoming Events April 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm: Annual Plant Auction This is a Club fundraising event, so that we may continue our mission of rescue, adoption, care and education/ outreach programs to the public. This auction and all our meetings are open to the public. Parking and admission are free. Refreshments will be provided! This is a great event for both members of our Club and our plant-loving friends and neighbors. Please visit us at www.tortoise.org/foothill/ Donations: (Wide Variety of Plants and Trees) Steve List, Head of the Horticulture Department at Sylmar High School • Armstrong Centers • Sunland Water Gardens (Aquatic Turtles) • Members also provide their specialty homegrown plants.

June 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm: Annual Health Clinic and Silent Auction Health clinic includes de-worming and micro-chipping for turtles and tortoises De-worming fee: $1000 • Micro-chipping fee: $2500 Free veterinarian check-up provided by Dr. Fees Silent auction: come join the festivities with fellow Club members, friends and neighbors to continue our mission and support of our “shelled friends!” Silent auction donations come from restaurants, businesses, stores, gift cards, and include specially selected items.

Foothill Chapter Meeting Location: Los Angeles Coun- ty Arboretum (Palm Room), 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA. 91007 Contact: Robin Robb, Foothill Chapter president (951) 359-3003; [email protected]

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission monitoring sea turtles, manatees during cold weather As Florida’s residents and visitors be affected by cold weather. When species that can be impacted by manage the current cold-weather the water temperatures drop, stunned extreme cold weather. When water conditions, the state’s unique and sea turtles may float listlessly in the temperatures drop, manatees gather treasured fish and wildlife species water on or near shore. Although in warm-water habitats such as may need some extra care as well. these turtles may appear to be dead, discharge canals at power plants and The Florida Fish and Wildlife Con- they are often still alive. It is import- natural springs. The FWC asks that servation Commission (FWC) is ant to report these turtles to the FWC boaters be extra vigilant in watching prepared and ready to prioritize this Wildlife Alert Hotline as soon as for manatees in shallow waters near critical mission. possible [888-404-FWCC (3922)]. the coast, both inland and coastal, “We are committed to conserving “Our staff, partners and permitted and obey all posted manatee speed our natural resources, and are staged volunteers are already working to res- zone signs. and ready in strategic areas through- cue sea turtles in northwest Florida. “Aggregated animals should not be out the state,” said FWC Executive Nearly 100 turtles have been rescued disturbed, as this could cause them Director Eric Sutton. “Our team of so far. We are also monitoring the to leave the warm-water sites that FWC staff, partners and volunteers Mosquito Lagoon and other areas of help them cope with cold tempera- are monitoring the status of marine the state to see if sea turtles are being tures.” species affected most by the cold, impacted there,” said Kipp Frohlich, Sustaining adequate winter habitat and are prepared in case rescues are director of FWC’s Division of Habitat for manatees remains a statewide needed.” and Species Conservation. conservation goal. Sea turtles are one species that can The Florida manatee is another —FWC press release posted 3 January 2018 Volume 54, Number 2 15

2018 Show Schedule Classified Advertisements 00 5 May: Turtle & Tortoise Care Society MiniShow Classified advertisements run for one issue at $5 for up to four lines, or $3000 for ¼ page. Ads are accepted at the El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long discretion of the Editor. Ads are available to members and Beach, CA 90815; 10 am–3 pm. subscribers only, and are run as a service to our members. California Turtle & Tortoise Club is not responsible for mer- 19 May: Valley Chapter Annual Show chandise placed for sale in the Tortuga Gazette. Woodland Hills Christian Church, 5920 Shoup Ave., Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. Woodland Hills, CA 91367; 11 am–4 pm. Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Trea- surer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300. Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR mail fee to the postal address above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor.

California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society Dedicated to Turtle & Tor- toise Preservation, Conservation and Education since 1964. Promoting and Facilitating the Care, Rescue and Adoption of Native and Nonna- tive Turtles and Tortoises.

The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned by the California Tur- tle & Tortoise Club Executive Board, which is incorporated in the State of California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). All material is copyright © CTTC unless otherwise attributed. CTTC policy permits reproduction of articles by other not-for-profit groups and educational institutions when permission is requested. Permis- sion is granted on a case-by-case basis and CTTC must be cited as the Adult female Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans). Photo by source of the material. Ralph Hoekstra Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor or the California Turtle & Tor- toise Club.

The California Turtle & Tortoise Club (CTTC) is a non-profit 501(c) Chapter Postal Mail Addresses (3) corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Cen-Val Chapter: P. O. Box 16418, Orange County Chapter: P. O. Box Please pay by USA funds only (US Fresno, CA 93755-6418 11124, Santa Ana, CA 9271 bank check, money order, or Interna- Chino Valley Chapter: P. O. Box 1753, Ridgecrest Chapter: P. O. Box 1272, tional Postal Order). Chino, CA 91708-1753 Ridgecrest, CA 9355 Membership in the CTTC and sub- scriptions to the Tortuga Gazette are Foothill Chapter: P. O. Box 51002, Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter: P. O. handled through the CTTC Chapters. Pasadena, CA 91115-1002 Box 3086, Camarillo, CA 93011-3086 The Chapters also manage member- High Desert Chapter: P. O. Box 163, Santa Clarita Chapter: P. O. Box ship renewals. Victorville, CA 92393 4012, Castaic, CA 91310 Many members choose to join a near- Inland Empire Chapter: P. O. Box TOOSLO Chapter: P. O. Box 14222, by Chapter to participate in Chapter meetings and other activities. Print 2371, San Bernardino, CA 92406-2371 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 membership forms from the CTTC Kern County Chapter: P. O. Box Turtle & Tortoise Care Society Chap- website. 81772, Bakersfield, CA 93380-1772 ter: P. O. Box 15965, Long Beach, CA Your Chapter and your renewal date Low Desert Chapter: P. O. Box 4156, 90815-0965 (month/year) are displayed on your Palm Desert, CA 92261 Valley Chapter: P. O. Box 7364, Van newsletter notification. Mail your new Nuys, CA 91409-7364 or renewal membership/subscription to the Chapter of your choice. Membership fees the Tortuga Gazette • Student membership ...... $1500 Post Office Box 7300 • Individual membership ...$2500 Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300 • Family membership ...... $3500 https://www.tortoise.org • Life membership ...... $50000