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November | December 2017 the Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 & Club founded in 1964 and dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education

Adult female yellow-footed tortoise, denticulata measuring 17 inches (43 ccentimeters) in carapace length and 11 inches (28 centimeters) in carapace width. Photo © 2017 by Kirk Weber, reprinted with permission. Yellow-footed Tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata (Linnaeus, 1766) The Brazilian by M. A. Cohen ormerly assigned to the gen- officially described the yellow-footed Closely related to the red-footed tor- era and , tortoise in 1766, naming the toise, C. carbonaria, the yellow-footed F the yellow-footed tortoise cur- Testudo denticulata. Recognized for his tortoise is the less studied of the two. rently belongs to the Chelonoidis, development of the scientific system The yellow-footed tortoise is the larger the species of South American of binomial (two-name) nomenclature of the two species, has a less contrast- that also include the Galápagos tortoise (naming technique), Linnaeus is known ing coloration on its carapace, and is (C. nigra), the (C. chilen- as the Father of , the method sympatric with its close relative, mean- sis), and the Red-footed tortoise (C. of scientifically classifying organisms. ing the two species occur in the same carbonaria). The yellow-footed tortoise, a mem- geographic areas. While the red-footed Also known as Carolus Linnaeus ber of the Testudinidae of tortoise prefers open, savannah-grass- and Carl von Linné, Swedish botanist tortoises, is the largest mainland tor- land , the yellow-footed tortoise and zoologist (1707-1778) toise on the continent of . prefers canopied habitats. 2 Often called the yellow- able of Contents footed tortoise, C. denticulata

T also has several other com- mon names, including the Featured Species Brazilian giant tortoise, the Yellow-footed Tortoise South American forest tor- Chelonoidis denticulata toise, and yellow-foot. The “preferred Span- 1 The Brazilian Giant Tortoise by M. A. Cohen ish vernacular name” of the yellow-footed tortoise is Table of Contents 2 morrocoy amarillo, while the 4 The Turtle’s Garden: Six Traditional Holi- local indigenous peoples day Plants with Toxic Properties within its range have names by M. A. Cohen for the species in their own languages (Pritchard and 6 New York State DEC Eliminating Com- Trebbau, 1984). Female yellow-footed tortoise enjoying a flower in her enclosure. mercial Harvest of Diamondback The species name dentic- Photo © 2017 by Kirk Weber, reprinted with permission. ­—Closing Hunting Season Aids ulata derives from the Latin Conservation of root words denti-, meaning Turtle Species —NYSDEC press release are large, and a somewhat hooked up- toothed, and latus, meaning the side. per jaw (Pritchard and Trebbau, 1984). s Three Species Gain Endangered Spe- The root words combine to describe The of the species show cies Act Protection—CBD press release the serrated outer edges of the mar- prominent yellow to orange scales, ginal of yellow-footed tortoise while the elephantine hind limbs are 7 Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, hatchlings. typically brown to brownish-black. PhD Exhibiting some sexual dimor- s Meetings and Programs Identification phism, the male yellow-footed tortoise Not as extensively studied as the s Classified Advertisements yellow-foot tends to be larger than the red-footed tortoise, the yellow-footed female, with a more elongated cara- 8 Tortoise Box: Plans and Instructions tortoise is likely more difficult to lo- pace, a concave plastron, and a longer, by Mark Ratkovic cate and observe, living as it does in thicker tail. As a rule, this generality is overgrown that are often accepted by biologists, however, the 12 Ban Sought on Wild Turtle Trapping in impenetrable. largest recorded individuals in the spe- Arkansas — CBD press release The species’ common name de- cies are ordinarily female. scribes the distinctive yellow- or 14 Readers’ Favorite Photographs While also having an elongated orange-colored scales present on the carapace, the female yellow-foot is s Get your friendly tortoise today! front surfaces of its forelegs. The yel- usually smaller overall than the male, by Michelle Hoover low-footed tortoise is the fifth largest with a domed carapace and a flat- tortoise worldwide, the third largest tened plastron that is adapted for mainland tortoise, and the largest development. Biologists surmise that California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society Dedicated to Turtle & Tor- tortoise species in mainland South the longer, narrower carapace of the toise Preservation, Conservation and Education Since 1964. Promoting America. Averaging 16 to 20 inches (40 and Facilitating the Care, Rescue and Adoption of Native and Nonnative male enables him to move more easily and Tortoises. to 50 centimeters) in carapace length through the dense rainforest under- (King, 2011), massive individuals great- story (ARKive, n.d.). The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned by the California Turtle er than 32 inches (82 centimeters) in Considerable variation exists in the & Tortoise Club Executive Board, which is incorporated in the State of carapace length are not unusual, espe- size of mature yellow-footed tortoises, California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is tax-exempt under IRS cially in the wild (Turtles of the World, with the smallest adults being about code 501(c)(3). n.d.). one-half the size and only a fraction All material is copyright © CTTC unless otherwise attributed. CTTC Scutes that are brown to policy permits reproduction of articles by other not-for-profit groups of the weight of the largest adults and educational institutions when permission is requested. Permission brownish-black with yellow- or or- (Pritchard and Trebbau, 1984). Sub- is granted on a case-by-case basis and CTTC must be cited as the source ange-colored centers comprise the species of C. denticulata have yet to be of the material. elongated carapace. The species’ plas- identified. Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are those of the contributors tron, yellowish-brown in coloration, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the California Turtle & Tor- has darker markings at the seams of Range and toise Club. the scutes (ARKive, n.d.). With an extensive range that Comparatively small, the head of spans many northwestern states Is your email address changing? C. denticulata displays scales colored on the continent of South America, Update your email address through your yellow to orange on a brown or brown- the yellow-footed tortoise inhabits MailChimp account, or send changes and cor- ish-black background, with a shape southeastern Venezuela, Guyana, Su- rections to [email protected] that is longer than it is wide, that riname, French Guiana, the Amazon

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 3 River basin in Brazil, southern Colom- Reproduction Conservation bia, eastern , eastern Peru, and No specific mating season for C. den- The Convention on International northern . The species also oc- ticulata has been documented, and Trade in (CITES) curs in the twin-island Republic of biologists speculate that mating occurs at lists the yellow-footed tortoise as Ap- Trinidad and Tobago, located off the any time of , although there is some pendix II, meaning that all international northern coast of South America. evidence that mating peaks during the trade in the species should be diligently Favoring both deciduous and ever- rainy season. monitored. green tropical rainforest ecosystems, Given the year-round mating of the The Red List of the International C. denticulata thrives in high-humidity species, nesting is also likely to occur Union for the Conservation of Na- environments, and typically inhabits throughout the year. C. denticulata lays ture lists the yellow-footed tortoise as locations adjacent to bodies of water. one to several clutches of , num- “vulnerable to ” with the an- With low light levels found in the shade bering one to 20 eggs per clutch, each notation that the assessment “needs of the rainforest canopy, these ecosys- season. The average number of eggs per updating” (The IUCN Red List of Threat- tems feature a temperature range is clutch is four to eight, and the eggs usu- ened Species, 1996). Ω relatively narrow, varying from 66 to 95° ally incubate for 120 to 150 days (ARKive, F (19 to 35° C) (King, 2011). n.d.). References ARKive. (n.d.). South American yellow-footed tortoise Species Activity Threats (Chelonoidis denticulata). [online] Available at: http:// Exhibiting different periods of activity, By far the greatest threat to adult www..org/south-american-yellow-footed- tortoise/chelonoidis-denticulata/ male and female yellow-footed tortoises C. denticulata is capture by for are both diurnal, meaning they are both food. In some portions of its range, both King, A. (2011). Chelonoidis denticulata (Yellow-footed active during the day. Females and juve- the and various organs of the spe- Tortoise or Morocoy). [online] The Online Guide to the niles are active all year around, mainly of Trinidad and Tobago. Available at: https:// cies are considered to be delicacies and sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Chelonoi- occupied with the search for food. In are sold in food markets. Forest-dwelling dis_denticulata.pdf. contrast, males are generally more active peoples will capture yellow-footed tor- during the wetter months, when they are Pritchard, P. and Trebbau, P. (1984). The Turtles of Ven- toises for food or for sale when hunting ezuela. 1st ed. Athens, Ohio: Society for the Study of occupied with searching for mates as well other game. Amphibians and , pp.221-232. as for food (King, 2011). This increase in A secondary threat to the species is The IUCN Red List of . (1996). Chelo- male activity coincides with the availabil- collection for the trade. Some captive noidis denticulata. [online] Available at: http://www. ity of fallen fruit, a high-energy food item breeding of C. denticulata occurs within iucnredlist.org/details/9008/0 [Accessed 4 Sep. 2017]. utilized during mating activities (ARKive, its range, and biologists report that at Turtles of the World. (n.d.). Geochelone denticulata. [on- n.d.). Juveniles are immediately self-re- least some of the animals in the pet trade line] Available at: http://turtles.linnaeus.naturalis.nl/ liant when they emerge from their eggs are captive-bred, probably reducing pres- linnaeus_ng/app/views/species/.php?id=8163 and begin to forage upon absorption of sure on wild populations (ARKive, n.d.). their yolk sacs. Foods and Feeding As an , the yellow-foot- ed tortoise consumes an array of food items, including fruits, flow- ers, grasses, leaves, vines, roots, bark, mushrooms (both gilled and woody varieties), , snails, , and carrion (ARKive, n.d.). While flowers are the preferred food during the dry sea- son, fallen fruits are preferred during the wet season, and other food items are consumed throughout the year (Turtles of the World, n.d.) Biologists who study the yellow- footed tortoise have observed the species engaged in geophagy (jee-oh- fah-jee), the practice of consuming , sand, or pebbles. Scientists theorize that ingesting these abrasive items aids the tortoise in digesting its food items because the tortoise often swallows them whole (ARKive, n.d.). Female yellow-footed tortoise. Photo © 2017 by Kirk Weber, reprinted with permission.

November | December 2017 Tortuga Gazette 4 the Six Traditional Holiday Plants Turtle’s with Toxic Properties t Holly t Amaryllis and Daffodil Garden t Jerusalem Cherry t Cyclamen planting for chelonians by M. A. Cohen t Mistletoe t Poinsettia ith the winter holidays fast in this article. Never assume your (or Jerusalem Cherry approaching, it is important to children) will recognize harmful substanc- Also known as Christmas cherry, win- W provide for the safety of pets es and avoid them. Always err on the side ter cherry, and numerous other common and children in the household, as no one of caution, and protect vulnerable family names, Jerusalem cherry belongs to the wants the season's festivities interrupted members from harm. Solanaceae family, commonly known as by a medical emergency. Holly the nightshade family. A large plant fam- While this column is not intended to ily of considerable economic importance, dampen holiday spirits, it presents pro- the nightshade family consists of some files of plant materials commonly utilized members containing harmful alkaloids, as part of celebratory holiday decora- as well as many members comprising tions that contain toxic phytochemicals 1 common food crops. Potatoes, tomatoes, with the potential for harm to pets and eggplants, bell peppers, and chili pep- children. The single most important pre- pers are all nightshade family members. caution one can take against possible Common garden ornamentals belonging danger is this: keep all toxic plants and to the Solanaceae family include Angel’s plant parts completely out of the reach Trumpet (Brugmansia and Datura species) of pets, children, and—for that mat- [toxic], Periwinkle (Vinca species) [toxic], ter—uninformed adults. For purposes and Petunia (Petunia species) [nontoxic]. of this article, “plant part” includes vis- An evergreen shrub reaching a mature ible parts, such as leaves, flowers, berries, European holly, Ilex aquifolium, branches, leaves and height of 3 to 4 feet, S. pseudocapsicum seeds, and branches, as well as bulbs (visi- berries. Photo © 2005 by Jϋrgen Howaldt. Source: Cre- is a native of Spain and has naturalized ble or underground), roots, and plant sap. ative Commons; license: CC BY-SA 2.0. throughout the tropics and subtropics Derived from the Latin word toxicum worldwide (Brenzel, Ed., 2012) meaning poison, “toxic” may indicate that Widely distributed throughout tem- While it is toxic but not generally life- a plant or plant part is poisonous, i.e., ca- perate and subtropical areas, the holly threatening to humans, the nightshade pable of causing death or serious illness. family, Aquifoliaceae, comprises ±500 family alkaloid solanocapsine is extreme- Additionally, ”toxic” may indicate that a species worldwide. Holly branches, ly poisonous to dogs, , and some less severe yet unpleasant reaction, such leaves, and berries are used extensively species. Because there is ample scientific as nausea, vomiting, or contact dermati- in Christmas decorations such as wreaths evidence that reptiles are closely related tis, may result from ingestion of or contact and garlands. While the bark, berries, to , one can presume that solano- with the plant or its component parts. leaves, and seeds of holly are all toxic, the capsine is poisonous to reptiles. Under all circumstances, posting the berries of holly are most commonly eat- phone number of the local Poison Con- en, posing a significant risk. trol authority adjacent to your phone(s) is The toxic phytochemical in holly, prudent. The phone number for the Poi- theobromine, is an alkaloid 2 that is pres- son Control Helpline is 1-800-222-1222. ent in many plants, including cacao, a “Pharmacists, physicians, nurses and poi- major component of chocolate. So, un- son information providers answer the der no circumstances should people who calls to 1-800-222-1222 24 hours a day, 7 have dogs allow their pets to have access days a week, 365 days a year.” Language to chocolate, as chocolate is poisonous to interpreters are always available through dogs. The concentration of theobromine the Poison Help line (California Poison is much higher in holly berries than in Control System, n.d.) chocolate, making the holly berries dan- gerous when ingested. Jerusalem cherry, Solanum pseudocapsicum, photo- Tortoises, because of their strong at- graphed at Merrifield Garden Center, Fairfax VA USA. traction to the color red, and to berries, Photo © 2006 by David J. Stang. Source: Creative Com- fruits, and flowers, are at particular risk 2 alkaloid: a large group of -containing or- mons; license: CC BY-SA 4.0. for harm from the many plants described ganic compounds produced by plants that generally cause a strong physiological reaction; examples of al- The fruit of the Jerusalem cherry bears 1 phytochemical: any biologically active compound kaloids include morphine, quinine, nicotine, caffeine, a strong resemblance to the cherry toma- found in plants. atropine and strychnine. to, both in its physical appearance and its

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 5 flavor, so there is a significant life-threat- indoors for decoration and winter color. stars or butterflies,” according to the Sun- ening risk to pets consuming the fruit Both contain the toxic alkaloid lycorine, set Western Garden Book. Flower colors of the Jerusalem cherry (Helmenstine, posing an ingestion risk. Bulbs, leaves and vary from white to pink, rose, red, laven- Ph.D., 2017). flowers all carry varying concentrations of der, and purple. the toxin lycorine. Leaves and flowers arise from a tuber, Mistletoe a thickened, underground root or stem. Botanically speaking mistletoe is a The Cyclamen tuber contains triterpinoid hemiparasite, an oddity in the plant king- saponins, toxins that may cause nausea, dom because it is a partial parasite. By vomiting, convulsions, or possibly paraly- the term “partial parasite” botanists are sis (Helmenstine, Ph.D., 2017). referring to the fact that the mistletoe Pets are more likely than children to species—there are several species—can ingest Cyclamen tubers. However, if one either grow as parasites on and plant part is known to contain toxins, all shrubs or on their own roots in the earth parts of that plant should be viewed as (The Holiday Spot, n.d.). potentially dangerous. Commonly used as a decoration at Christmas, Phoradendron flavescens (= Poinsettia P. leucarpum) is an evergreen parasite A member of the Euphorbiaceae, the plant belonging to the Santalaceae Spurge family, the poinsettia, Euphorbia family. Native to , the ge- Amaryllis/Hippeastrum. Photo © 2016 by Amos Oliver pulcherrima, is one of the most popular nus grows as a parasite in the Western Doyle. Source: Creative Commons; license CC-BY-SA-4.0. holiday plants worldwide. While the spe- and on the East Coast. cies has the potential for toxic effects, it Hippeastrum, one of many species and is less dangerous than other plant spe- cultivars in the amaryllis family, is often cies profiles in this article(Helmenstine, sold as an “exotic” amaryllis. A popular Ph.D., 2017). bulb for forcing, many flower colors and color combinations exist through the ef- forts of plant breeders. Known by the common names daf- fodil, narcissus, and jonquil, Narcissus species bear flowers in numerous colors and color combinations as well as various forms and heights. Ripe berries of the oak mistletoe, Phoradendrom leuco- Upon ingestion of bulbs, leaves, carpum, photographed near Agua Dulce, Los Angeles or flowers, both amaryllis and daffo- County, CA. Photo © 2008 by Joe Decruyenaere. Source: dil species can cause digestive distress, Wikimedia Commons; license CC BY-SA 2.0. abnormal heartbeat, or convulsions (Hel- Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima. Photo by the US De- partment of Agriculture. Public domain. menstine, Ph.D., 2017). The Phoradendron species contain phoratoxin, a toxic plant protein that Cyclamen The poinsettia, like other euphorbias, causes a variety of dangerous symptoms produces a “milky” white sap containing ranging from blurred vision to death. toxic triterpenes that can cause contact While all parts of the mistletoe plant are dermatitis when touching the skin and poisonous, children and pets are most especially the mucous membranes. If likely to eat the berries. Ingesting any part ingested, flowers or leaves of poinsettia of the mistletoe plant can cause illness in may cause short-term digestive upset or a child and can seriously endanger a small feeling of illness. Ω (Helmenstine, Ph.D., 2017). If chil- dren or pets ingest mistletoe plant parts, References the best course of action is to seek imme- Brenzel, Ed., K. (2012). Sunset Western Garden Book. 9th ed. New York, NY: Time Home Entertainment. diate medical advice. California Poison Control System. (n.d.). [online] Available Amaryllis [Hippeastrum] and at: http://www.calpoison.org. Daffodil [Narcissus] Helmenstine, Ph.D., A. (2017). Poisonous Holiday Plants. Blossom of the species Cyclamen purpurescens. Photo © [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: https://www. “Forcing,” a method of artificially ac- thoughtco.com/poisonous-holiday-plants-609292. celerating the flowering of bulbs out of 2003 by BerndH. Source: Creative Commons; license CC- BY-SA 3.0 The Holiday Spot. (n.d.). Mistletoe its history meaning, and season, is popular for holiday decorat- traditions. [online] Available at: http://www.theholi- ing. Both members of the Amaryllidaceae A member of the Primrose family, the dayspot.com/christmas/history/mistletoe.htm. family, Hippeastrum (amaryllis) and Nar- species in the Cyclamen genus bear at- cissus (daffodil) are commonly forced tractive flowers that resemble “shooting 6 New York State DEC Eliminating Commercial Harvest of Diamondback Terrapin­—Closing Hunting Season Aids Conservation of Diamondback Terrapin Turtle Species—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation press release 19 September 2017—The New the Atlantic Coast led to the clo- York State Department of Envi- sure of commercial harvest in ronmental Conservation (DEC) all states in the terrapin’s range and Commissioner Basil Seg- with the exception of New York. gos announced today that the The current action closes agency is adopting regulations commercial harvest of to eliminate commercial har- throughout their range. In addi- vest of diamondback terrapins tion to closing New York’s open [ Malaclemys terrapin ] and add season, the diamondback ter- the species to the list of native rapin has been added to the list turtles with no open season. of native turtles to protect all life The closure on harvest will stages of the species from being go into effect beginning May 1, collected from the wild. DEC will 2018. continue to evaluate and pursue “Diamondback terrapins additional actions to improve depend upon a steady diet of the status of the diamondback mollusks and crustaceans, mak- terrapin populations in New ing them an excellent indicator Two Diamondback terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, at the Louisville . Photo © 2009 by York. for the health of New York’s es- Ltshears. Source: Creative Commons; license: CC BY-SA 3.0 The final diamondback ter- tuarine habitats,” Commissioner terrapin was identified as a Species of rapin season will close April 30, Seggos said. “If diamondback terrapins Greatest Conservation Need in the 2015 2018, with licenses expiring May 4, 2018. are doing well in a bay, you know you New York State Action Plan due Information on the life history of the have a healthy population of blue mus- to documented threats from habitat loss, diamondback terrapin may be found sels, clams, and blue crabs, too. Closing nest , and incidental capture. by visiting http://www.dec.ny.gov/ani- the hunting season is an important step The turtles are sometimes accidentally mals/59652.html in the conservation of diamondback ter- trapped in crab pots and other commer- The Regulatory Impact Statement rapin populations in New York.” cial fishing gear. for the revision to the regulation may Diamondback terrapins are a turtle Populations of diamondback terra- be viewed at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ species that live in brackish waters as- pins plummeted in the early 20th Century regulations/109828.html and the Notice sociated with the lower Hudson River, due to unregulated harvest for turtle of Adoption for the revised regulation Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the soup. After a rebound throughout most can be viewed in the New York State coastal embayments along the south of the last century, new declines in dia- Register (https://www.dos.ny.gov/info/ shore of Long Island. The diamondback mondback terrapin populations along register/2017.html). Ω Three Species Gain Endangered Species Act Protection Tucson, Arizona—19 September the loss of much of this habitat, which Updating your Contact information 2017— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the turtle needs to survive. Every CTTC member on this today protected Arizona’s Sonoyta mud In the United States, the turtle has mailing list has a MailChimp ac- turtle, a Hawaiian bird known as the been reduced to a single reservoir called count that s/he can update as scarlet honeycreeper, and a Southeast Quitobaquito Springs within Organ Pipe needed. When you receive your fish called the pearl under the En- Cactus National Monument. Four popu- newsletter notification, there is dangered Species Act. lations are currently known in , a link at the bottom of the page With webbed feet and an innate abil- but the loss of the turtle has already titled “update your preferenc- ity to swim, the Sonoyta mud turtle has been reported from an additional site. es.” Simply click on this link to evolved to be highly aquatic in one of At all of these sites the number of turtles jump to your account page and the driest parts of the . has declined as aquatic habitat has been update your email address and The turtle is found only in a small area reduced. It has been waiting for protec- other information. Thank you! of Pima County, Arizona and , tion on the candidate list for 20 . Ω Mexico. Diversion of surface water and — Excerpt from a Center for Biological Diversity press pumping of groundwater have led to release

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 7

Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. CTTCMeetings and Programs A varied selection of recent articles, stories and sites on the Web that some of you may find as Cen-Val: 16 November; 14 December interesting as I did. This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks. Chino Valley: 17 November; Rehabbed Green Sea Turtles Released off 15 December: NO meeting this month The fate of the Chelonian Research Institute as Southern California Peter Pritchard (sadly) ails. Yes, we do have sea turtles in SoCal. Foothill: 24 November; 22 December Napa Fire Rescue • Seaworld released a rehabbed green sea High Desert: 13 November; 11 December Watch fire crews rescue a “200 pound” sulcata from turtle that had been rescued from Dana Inland Empire: 3 November; 1 December the Napa fires. Point harbor. The Infamous Turtle Beer Koozie Harness • And the of the Pacific re Kern County: 13 November; 11 December leased one near the mouth of the San I hadn’t heard the word koozie before but anything Low Desert: 4 December involving turtles and beer gets my attention! Gabriel River. Orange County: 10 November; 8 December Global Distribution of Reptiles Mapped • And three olive ridleys were released off • New, comprehensive survey maps the San . Ridgecrest: 13 November; 11 December world’s reptiles. Sonoyta Mud Turtle Santa Barbara-Ventura: Contact the chapter • ...And the mapping has already been The extremely rare and localized Sonoyta mud for meeting information. put to use to reveal target areas for turtle from the Arizona/Mexico border was listed as conservation. endangered. Santa Clarita: 18 November Ancient Pigmentation Pacific Turtles Silicon Valley: 17 November; 15 December Original pigment, and muscle proteins have Pacific pond turtle conservation is paying off in TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo): 15 November; been recovered from a fossilized 54 million-year- Washington State. old hatchling sea turtle! 13 December Roosevelt the Tortoise is Missing TTCS (Long Beach): 17 November; Track Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Online “There are some things in this universe bigger than 15 December– Annual Holiday Party and Cut- Ocearch lets you track transmittered olive ridleys all of us, and a tortoise is one of them!” Great clip and sharks on line. from the movie Lucky. Throat Gift Exchange Sea Turtle Conservation Hailed as a Success New Research Valley: 17 November; 15 December • After 50 years of conservation, long • Herpetological Conservation and Biology Executive Board: ?? January. Meetings are term growth now seen in many sea turtle Volume 12, Issue 2 held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, populations. • physiology Arcadia, CA. • The scientific report is available with open access. • Mycoplasma and clinical signs in Go Check your Chapter web site for the latest program pherus tortoises Hurricane Irma information. Programs may be scheduled after the ...But vagaries such as Hurricane Irma still have an CTTC on Facebook newsletter is published. acute impact. For breaking news updates, visit and “like” us on Facebook! Crash in Leatherback Births ...And declining leatherback hatchings in the US Virgin Islands is of concern.

“... the current position of the California Department of Fish and Classified Advertisements Wildlife is that it is illegal to breed Classified advertisements run for one issue at $500 for four lines or less or $3000 for ¼ page. They captive [desert] tortoises.” are accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Classified ads are available to members and sub- [The Council’s Answering Questions scribers only. Advertisements are run as a service to our members. California Turtle & Tortoise e-publication is currently offline in revision.] Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tortuga Gazette. Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. “CTTC will not place desert tortoises ( agassizii) in situations Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300. where captive breeding may occur. Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR mail fee to the postal address CTTC works with California Depart- above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor. ment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to place desert tortoises. Both CDFW FOR SALE: Redfoots, Russians, Marginateds, Hermann’s, Graecas, Elongateds, For- and CTTC discourage the captive steniis, Leopards, Reeves and Boxes—all breeding adults. Reeves, Box and Russian hatchlings. Call 805-481-5222. (2) breeding of desert tortoises.” – tortoise.org/cttc/adoption.html

November | December 2017 Tortuga Gazette 8

Mark Ratkovic Tortoise Box: Plans and Instructions December 2011 by Mark Ratkovic

These plans are for the consltuction of a securehouse for a single adult tortoise, 10-12 inehes long. Floor dimensions should be adjustedfor larger tortoises or for more than one tortoise.

COMPONENTS AND DIMENSIONS:

Front 1o X 24 inehes Back 12X24 Sides (2) 12 X 14 (seecutting diagram) CUTIING DIAGRAM Top 18X28 plywood48 X48 Floo,­ 14X -24 1'0 /,}. "� Ledgers (2) 19 ¾ L approx "'''�� (2) 11 L approx A ,. Legs (4) 14 L before trimm ng i z• � � ':i ---,,. .$lp,J1 ,. MATERIALS:

Box 1/2 or 518plywood - 48 X 48 (half sheet)

Legs 2 X3 X 8' stud Construction grade Douglas Fir 1 1& -roP Ledgers: 1 X 2 X 8' Pine Hardware: ,.. ,. 9D: Item • If 518 plywood isused for box .. floor could be approx36 Drywallsaews 1/8 X 1 • ltinnermtttertal (W).

2 Hasps 3• 6-8 Maehine screws 1 /8 X 1 • nuts, washers

2 feet Chain (small) or cord

1 Piano hinge 1· X 2.' 1 Piano hinge 1• X 1'

2 Spring clips -3· long

2 Right angle brackets 1 • X 1 •

1 ·carabine,. key ring 1 • - 1 1/2 •

Wood glue, exterior waler-resistant finish, small nails 1·, popsicle slicks or small woodstrips

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Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 9

November | December 2017 Tortuga Gazette 10

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 11

Special thanks to the Ratkovic family for granting permission to publish these tortoise-house build- ing plans developed by mechanical engineer Mark Ratkovic.

November | December 2017 Tortuga Gazette 12 Ban Sought on Wild Turtle Trapping in Arkansas —14 Types of Turtles Can Be Caught, Sold in Unlimited Numbers—Center for Biological Diversity press release Little Rock, Arkansas—25 September areas where harvesting is not permitted. raided from the outside. I hope we will 2017—The Center for Biological Diversity “Unlimited commercial turtle har- do the right thing and ban the taking of and several Arkansas-based environmen- vesting is bad for our rivers and bad for these special creatures.” tal organizations petitioned the Arkansas Arkansas,” said Glen Hooks, director of “All research on commercial turtle Game and Fish Commission today to end the Arkansas Sierra Club. “The science harvesting shows that profitable levels commercial collection of the state’s wild clearly points to the need to protect our of capture success are unsustainable,” turtles. state’s delicate resources. We call on our said Bruce Kingsbury, director of the Currently turtle trappers can legally Arkansas wildlife regulators to join other Environmental Resources Center at In- collect unlimited numbers of 14 types states in our region and end this practice diana-Purdue University. “The reason of turtle to sell domestically or export to immediately.” for this is that turtles naturally have low Asian food, pet and medicinal levels of reproductive success, markets. leading to a greater need for the If Arkansas bans collections, persistence of adults over time it would join a growing number so that they can keep trying to of states preserving important reproduce. Large-scale turtle wildlife and natural resources. trapping can also be disruptive In just the last week, New York to the natural habitat where the banned commercial collection trapping occurs.” of diamondback turtles and Ne- Today’s petition was submit- vada halted commercial reptile ted by the Center for Biological collection. And last year Missouri Diversity, Arkansas Sierra Club, agreed to consider turtle-trap- Arkansas Watertrails Partnership, ping regulations. All of these Audubon Society of Central Ar- actions were in response to work kansas, Environmental Resources Southern , Chrysemys picta dorsalis, one of the species native to Arkansas by the Center for Biological Diver- that is currently subject to unlimited commercial trapping. Photo © 2011 by Suzanne Center, Kory Roberts and John sity. Collins, Center for North American , www.cnah.org Kelly, a biologist who recently “Arkansas’ precious turtles studied Arkansas’ turtle harvest. shouldn’t be sacrificed so a few “The wholesale exploitation of aquatic trappers can make a quick buck,” said Elise Background turtle populations in Arkansas threatens Life-history characteristics such as Bennett, a Center attorney dedicated to the health of our water bodies,” said Cindy delayed sexual maturity, dependence on protecting rare reptiles and amphibians. Franklin, president of the Audubon Soci- high adult survival and high natural levels “It’s time for the state to adopt common- ety of Central Arkansas. “Aquatic turtles, of nest mortality make turtles vulnerable sense measures to protect its turtles from from formidable snapping turtles to di- to rapid declines from exploitation. unchecked exploitation.” minutive map turtles, serve an important As part of a campaign to protect tur- Arkansas allows turtle harvesting from purpose as the principal scavengers of tles in the United States, the Center has waters across roughly half the state, in- our aquatic ecosystems. Without turtles been petitioning states that allow com- cluding the entirety of the Arkansas and to consume dead fish and debris on the mercial turtle collection to improve their Mississippi rivers. According to Arkansas bottoms of our waterways, water quality regulations. In 2009 responded Game and Fish Commission harvest re- can decline and become unpleasant for by banning almost all commercial turtle port records, 126,381 freshwater turtles wildlife and people alike.” collection from public and private wa- were harvested from 2014 to 2016. This “Historically, Arkansas had one of the ters. In 2012 Georgia approved state rules harvest was geographically concentrat- highest levels of aquatic in restricting commercial turtle collection ed, with two-thirds of those turtles taken the nation, but that abundance is rapidly and Alabama completely banned it. Most from only five counties. declining because our native species are recently, in March, Iowa adopted new Scientists have repeatedly document- not protected,” said Debbie Doss, direc- regulations setting closed seasons and ed that freshwater turtles cannot sustain tor at Arkansas Watertrails Partnership. possession limits for commercial turtle any significant level of wild collection “Arkansas’ second largest economic en- trappers. Ω without population-level impacts and gine is tourism, and much of that tourism declines. For example, a study of com- depends on opportunities for wildlife mon snapping turtles demonstrated that viewing here in ‘The Natural State.’ Turtles a modest harvest pressure of 10 percent are popular on our water trails and can per year for 15 years could result in a 50 always be counted on to put in an ap- percent reduction in population size. And pearance. But now we are seeing fewer an Arkansas study found that turtles from and fewer turtle species on our rivers. The populations in heavily harvested areas last thing we need is to have our diversity were significantly smaller than those from

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 13 14 Readers’ Favorites The Tortuga Gazette would like to run your Readers’ Favorites in every issue of our full-color newsletter. If you have a photograph of your turtle or tor- toise to share with your fellow members, please send it to [email protected] Guidelines Please note the following guidelines for Readers’ Favorite Photographs: 1~Submit a high-contrast, well-focused photographic image. 2~Include the species of turtle and the name of the photographer. 3~If possible, submit the image in a “lossless” file format such as PNG, PSD, or PDF. Tsavi the desert tortoise checking out a turtle statue that decorates his hab- 4~No image that includes paint, glitter itat. Elaine Stover, CTTC Valley Chapter member, created a beautiful habitat or other harmful materials on the ani- for Tsavi and adopted “him” from the Valley Chapter. Ms. Stover captured mals will be considered for publication. this photo of the interplay between Tsavi and his ceramic counterpart. 5~Email image files to the newsletter editor Please Look closely at nature. Every species is a type “Readers’ Favorites” in the subject masterpiece, exquisitely adapted to the line of the message. particular environment in which it has 6~Images will become part of the Tor- tuga Gazette image pool and may be survived. Who are we to destroy or even used in subsequent articles and other diminish biodiversity? projects. —Edward O. Wilson (b. 1929), American biologist

Get your friendly tortoise today! text and photograph by Michelle Hoover The California Turtle & Tortoise Club than happy to come running down the smile on its face that another tortoise in (CTTC)—for all of your turtle and tortoise street—like Richard Pryor ablaze—with the world was happy (see photo). needs! one awesome and very homeless tortoise The services are free, but—just like We just adopted a just waiting to be adopted into its forever your friendly neighborhood bartender— from the CTTC Santa Clarita Valley home. And, you could clearly see by the these guys live off of tips. Remember that Chapter. These guys are on the front Santa Clarita Valley lines of the battle to save speedbumps Chapter, and the everywhere. other CTTC Chapters, They helped us: sacrifice for these u Choose the right tortoise for us. little shelled guys, so please give gener- u Advised us on how to have a tortoise castle built, created by Scott ously to help them Smith, Master tortoise mansion carpen- save these cute crea- ter. And you should see the work he can tures everywhere. do on dwellings! Note that the California Turtle & u Advised us on where to get the right tortoise supplies—the ones no Tortoise Club has tortoise can resist! chapters all over the state—surely there is u Provided door-to-door tortoise one near you! delivery service. Yes, this IS a thing. Steve Sherwood, a Russian tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) adopted from the Santa Clarita Valley —Posted on the Santa After filling out a form and get- Chapter of CTTC by Michelle Hoover and Jeff Donovan earlier this year. Photograph © 2017 by Clarita Chapter Facebook page ting all the right gear, they were more Michelle Hoover. and reprinted with permission.

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 6 the Tortuga Gazette CTTC Online: tortoise.org November | December 2017 Follow CTTC on Facebook Volume 53, Number 6 Featured Species Yellow-footed Tortoise Chelonoidis denticulata Membership in the California Turtle Membership fees CTTCMembership & Tortoise Club and subscriptions to the 00 The California Turtle & Tortoise Club is a non- Tortuga Gazette are handled through the w Student membership ...... $15 profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Contributions are CTTC Chapters. The Chapters also man- w Individual membership ..$2500 tax deductible to the full extent of the law. age membership renewals. 00 Please pay by USA funds only (US bank check, Members are free to join any Chapter. w Family membership ...... $35 money , or International Postal Order. Many members in California choose to join w Life membership ...... $50000 Your Chapter and your renewal date (month/ a nearby Chapter to participate in Chapter year) are printed on your newsletter notifica- meetings and other activities. Print member- The Chapters’ postal mailing addresses are list- tion. Mail your new or renewal membership/ ship forms from the CTTC website and mail ed in the following section. Click on the links to subscription to the Chapter of your choice. to the Chapter of your choice. visit the Chapters’ web sites.

Cen-Val Chapter Kern County Chapter Santa Clarita Chapter Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 16418, Fresno, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 81772, Bakersfield, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 4012, Castaic, CA 93755-6418. 93380-1772. 91310. Chino Valley Chapter Low Desert Chapter Silicon Valley Chapter Postal mailing address: P. O. Box 1753, Chino, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 4156, Palm Desert, Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 64135, Sunnyvale, CA 91708-1753. CA 92261. 94088-4135. Foothill Chapter Orange County Chapter TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo) Chapter Postal mailing address: P. O. Box 51002, Pasadena, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 11124, Santa Ana, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 14222, San Luis 91115-1002. 92711. Obispo, CA 93406. High Desert Chapter Ridgecrest Chapter Turtle & Tortoise Care Society Chapter Postal mailing address: P. O. Box 163, Victorville, CA Postal mailing address: P. O. Box 1272, Ridgecrest, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 15965, Long Beach, 92393. 93555. CA 90815-0965. Inland Empire Chapter Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter Valley Chapter Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 2371, San Bernardino, Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 3086, Camarillo, CA Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 7364, Van Nuys, CA CA 92406-2371. 93011-3086. 91409-7364.

Wishing Our Membership a Joyous Holiday Season! Peace on Earth

Two yellow-footed tortoises, Chelonoidis (=Geochelone) denticulata on the Zanderij Apoera road in and Goodwill Suriname, South America. Photo © 2008 by Maarten Sepp. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license: to All Creatures. GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2.