Dedicated to California Turtle & Tortoise Club Turtle & Tortoise Conservation, Preservation the Tortuga Gazette and Education Since 1964 Volume 55, Number 2 • March/April 2019
Adult pair of Hermann’s tortoises with a 1-foot (30-centimeter) ruler for scale. Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni Hermann’s Tortoise: History and Care text and photographs by Ralph Hoekstra
y interest in tortoises began not a desert tortoise (Gopherus They charged at each other in M in 1975 when our pastor gave agassizii), but that it was definitely tending to ram their opponent. Just me a tortoise his children found a female Hermann’s tortoise (Te- before they collided, each would walking down their street. His chil studo hermanni). We named her pull her head back into her shell. dren wanted to keep it, but it was “Shelley.” Both desert tortoises found new eating the plants in their mother’s Shelley shared our backyard for homes. Note: this is a common mis vegetable garden. I volunteered to a short time with two desert tor take made by many new tortoise take the tortoise off of their hands toises that were found walking keepers. Tortoises so distinct and thus began my 35-plus years on nearby streets by neighbors. ly different should never be kept with tortoises. I took the tortoise to Shelley did not want to share her together. a California Turtle & Tortoise Club/ territory and neither did one of the Range Description Orange County Chapter show to desert tortoises, a female. Both This species occurs in Mediter get it identified. I was told it was claimed my yard as their territory. ranean Europe, from coastal 2 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
C Hermann’s Tortoise: History and Care by Ralph Hoekstra 1 O Mike's Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. 6 N 155 Captive-Reared Tortoises Released on Santa Fe Island Ingestion of Stones, Bones, Fossils, and Soil by Turtles by M. A. Cohen 8 T Meetings and Programs 11 E The female park rangers protecting turtles from traffickers in Nicaragua 12 N by Monica Pelliccia T TOOSLO Chapter Changes Its Meeting Day and Location 17 S Female Tortoise Found on Fernandina Island
In 1976 Shelley would have been distribution. However, occasionally identified asTestudo herman- there are some in their collections ni hermanni and could trace her from the western range, the T. h. heritage to the eastern popula hermanni. tion of Hermann tortoises and Testudo hermanni hermanni more specifically to Bulgaria. In 1976 the western subspecies was identified asT. hermanni robertmertensii. The French, or Western race of Fig. 1. Shelley with the two desert tortoises. Hermann’s tortoise was known as Testudo hermanni robert- northeastern Spain, through south mertensi Wermuth 1952. Work eastern France, Mallorca (Spain), by Roger Bour (1987) has Menorca (Spain), Corsica (France), demonstrated that these at Sardinia (including Asinara Island) tributions are erroneous, and and Sicily (Italy), the coastal plains that the nominotypical spe Fig. 2. Carapace view of two Testudo hermanni hermanni. of peninsular Italy, coastal Croa cies is actually that of southern tia, coastal Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, previously referred to T. h. A distinctive characteristic found coastal Montenegro, central and robertmertensi. on T. h. hermanni are the pairs of southern Serbia, inland to south dark bands found on their plastrons. western Romania, much of Bulgaria, Two subspecies are currently rec ognized, T. h. hermanni and T. h. Nearly all of the scutes on their Macedonia, nearly all of Albania, the plastron will be black. Greek mainland plus islands from boettgeri (includes hercegovin- 2 Corfu to Zakynthos, and European ensis). Turkey. Records from Cyprus are Physical Differences be- likely to be in error (van Dijk, P.P., tween the Subspecies Corti, C., Mellado, V.P. & Cheylan, M. Both subspecies have the 2004). horned-tipped tail and most Testudo hermanni Hermann’s tortoises have a split Subspecies caudal scute, the scute above Gmelin first described the Her their tail. Hermann’s tortois mann’s Tortoise in 1789. The sci es are found in the collections entific name of this species isTe - of many tortoise enthusiasts. studo hermanni. 1 Most of these pet tortoises are from the eastern range of their Fig. 3. Plastron view of two Testudo hermanni hermanni. 1 The tortoise we now recognize as Testudo her- manni was first described by J. F. Gmelin in 1789 2 T. h. hermanni can also be found in within the 13th edition of the Systema Naturae Highfield, A.C. Notes on the Systematics and (Amphibia et Pisces). Ecology of Testudo hermanni Gmelin 1789. Italy, and individuals from this group 3 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 are also found in the pet trade. Southern California. They will need Tortoises of the Testudo graeca Their adult size is identical to the a dry place to sleep, preferably in a complex (Greek tortoises) should French cousins; the main difference heated, predator-proof house. never be kept with Hermann’s tor is that their carapace colorization is Their pen should be as es toises, or for that matter, with any 3 not as intense. cape-proof as possible with other species of tortoises. Testudo hermanni boettgeri low-growing shrubbery for hid The males of the T. graeca complex ing and to get out of the have an insatiable desire to ram sun for managing their body other tortoises using their guttur temperatures. al (i.e., gular) scutes. The shells of They require access to water Hermann’s tortoises cannot with for drinking, soaking, and elimi stand this onslaught. nation of urates, the semi-solid, Diet white substance excreted from Hermann’s tortoises are largely her the cloaca. bivores and will eat grasses, leaves, Tortoises are ‘programmed’ not fruits and flowers. Bermuda grass to use water in the bladder to seems to be their preference. Grape Plastron view of a large pair of Testudo hermanni boett- eliminate these urates unless leaves are devoured. Pink, double geri. The carapace view of these tortoises is on page 1. replenishment is available. De hibiscus flowers are their favorite. This diet can be supplemented with The eastern subspecies has been priving the tortoise of water will given the nomenclature T. h. boett- result in urates geri. They are separated without being accumulated, subspecies separation into two often to dangerous 4 families, based on size and appear levels. ance. The larger of the two groups A common ques are commonly referred to as “Bul tion we hear is this: garian Giants.” They are called “Can I keep other “giants” because they can achieve tortoise species a carapace length of 14 inches (357 with my Hermann’s millimeters). “Shelley” was 11 inches tortoise?” Keepers (280 millimeters). of Mediterranean These groups of Hermann’s tor tortoises, includ toises are those most commonly ing myself, have held by tortoise enthusiasts. I have kept the Margin had both of these groups in my ated tortoise (T. collection. marginata) with Hermann’s tor Husbandry toises with no ill Shelley succumbed to pneumonia effects. in 1984 as a result of a freak rain storm that dropped 10 inches (25 Mrs. Lillian Greene, centimeters) of rain in three hours. a long-time leg I found her stretched full length end in Southern against a planter in 10 inches of California tortoise water. She was in this position for lore, kept all of her hours, and, sadly, I didn’t bring her in species in sepa for medical care. rate pens with the lone exception of An enclosure housing Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and Mar- In 1990 I was able to acquire more Hermann’s and Hermann’s tortoises. I also obtained ginated tortoises (T.marginata) featuring numerous hiding places and Marginated tortois plenty of plant cover. enough knowledge to adequately es. They were kept care for their needs. in the same pen for many years. I high quality greens, such as endive, Hermann’s tortoises can live out remember one spunky, small male escarole, dandelions and mustard doors year-round where I live in Hermann’s tortoise almost acting greens. They are fond of cooked as a referee for a Marginated tor 3 Personal observation of an individual purchased toise male-to-male combat. 4 Highfield, A.C. Tortoises: Do They Need to Drink? from a breeder. 4 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 and sliced orange yams. Servings of Caldarelli had a friend who was stay like this in the incubator until fruit such as loquats or cantaloupe seeking qualified buyers for the the egg sac is fully absorbed. In are eaten with enthusiasm. progeny produced by her pair of the meantime I get a terrarium set Breeding and Mating Hermann’s tortoises. I purchased up for them. Their new home will a two-year-old female and be a terrarium with a substrate of a one-year-old male. I kept 50/50 peat moss and ground coco them in the same pen for a nut fiber (coir). year. I learned the hard way After a few days I start feeding the when Hermann’s tortois hatchlings high quality greens and es achieve adulthood. The Opuntia cactus. About 2 or 3 times pair had mated and produced a week their food is sprinkled with a clutch of two live babies. reptile vitamins and calcium. They Sadly, one drowned in a water will need regular soakings and be dish and the other died trying kept warm. I tried to keep a tem Plastron view of two recently hatched Hermann’s tortoises to get out of the nest. with a U.S. quarter for scale. perature gradient with a drop of Tortoises are particularly 10° F from one end of the enclosure Mating activity is the heaviest in long-lived animals, which are gen to the other. On warm days I would April and May and will continue erally presumed to live as long as bring them outdoors in a protect throughout their active months. It 70-100 years. This estimate is, of ed environment to give them shade may be necessary to separate the course, dependent on many fac and safety from birds. I once had a females during their nesting pe tors. According to the web site one-year old T. h. hermanni killed by riod that begins in June and July. Shelled Warriors (www.shelled- a large crow. Courtship tends to be vigorous warriors.co.uk/), the longest-lived Habitat and intense, and females may end living Hermann’s tortoise of today is All tortoises will do better in captive up with bite marks. These wounds named Little Foot. Owned by a Miss conditions if they have an inter should be dealt with as soon as S. Emiliou in the UK, the tortoise is esting pen. This will involve making possible. Open wounds are an in said to be 118 years old as of 2009 mounds, adding rocks and shrubs vitation for houseflies to deposit (source: TrekNature web site www. for providing places to hide. eggs that can form into maggots in treknature.com). a very short time. I thought I had a large male that es Care of Hatchlings caped from his pen until I noticed Females prefer to nest on mounds I place the eggs on damp paper him completely buried in a nesting of root-free, fairly loose soil amend towels in a plastic tub after they mound except for his head. ed with sand. Their nests will be start to pip. I then put the tub back about as deep as their rear legs can into the incubator until they are out Hibernation/Brumation excavate the nest site. A typical of the eggshell. They will still have Mammals hibernate and tortois clutch would be 3 to 8 eggs. Clutch an egg sac, so I again place them es brumate. The term “brumation” size will increase as females grow back into the tub and on a clean, refers to the period of winter dor older. dampened paper towel. They will mancy observed in many reptiles. Eggs should be artificially incu Hermann’s tortoises will bated. Eggs should be carefully start to slow down in removed from the nest site and late fall or early winter. marked with a soft lead pencil In Southern California it and kept with the marked side really never gets as cold up during incubation. I incubat as it does in their home ed Hermann’s tortoise eggs in a range, so their period of plastic tub in vermiculite moist brumation is not pre ened 50/50 by weight with water, dictable. Mine would at 87 to 88°F (30°C). If the eggs just go in their home are fertile, after a week to 10 and burrow down in the days, you will see a circle under substrate until they the mark on the shell. Hatching, decided they had had starting with pipping, can occur enough. any where from 68 to 90 days. A fellow tortoise enthu A terrarium set up to house hatchling and juvenile tortoises, including Long-time Turtle and Tortoise such accessories as a heat lamp, UV fluorescent fixture, hide boxes, shal- siast here in Southern Care Society member Betty low water dish, etc. California put his 5 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
There is also an attempt – so far unsuccessful – to move the Her mann’s tortoises into a new species entitled Eurotestudo. Another un successful endeavor involves a move to grant separate species designation to T. h. boettgeri. Even if these attempts are successful, it will not change how we care for our Hermann’s tortoises. [
Ralph Hoekstra has kept tortoises for over 45 years, having kept most of the species that are (or were) available in the pet trade. He is a past president of the Turtle and Tortoise Care Society (Long The large male tortoise I thought had escaped from his pen until I spotted him hiding in a Beach) of the California Turtle & Tortoise nesting mound with only his head visible. Club.
Testudo collection on a rigid bruma just in case I should happen tion schedule. He would hold back to have a treat for them or on their food for about 3 weeks be should happen to uncover a ginning in October. He would then tasty slug or snail.” collect them and place them in Conclusion containers in a refrigerator set for Both Hermann’s tortoise around 45°F (8°C). He kept the subspecies will do well in door ajar for air exchange. He would captivity outdoors here in take them out of the refrigerator Southern California provid in late March or early April. He did ing that their basic needs this for years with no adverse ef are met. They should be fect. In fact, this “forced” brumation provided with a secure en has a positive effect on tortoise closure, safe from predators physiology. –namely raccoons. Their The Tortoise Trust has completed house should have a means research in this area. They noted an to secure the door. Access increased level of liver disease and to water is a must. Mounds A nesting Hermann’s tortoise; she laid a total of four eggs. decline in fertility in tortoises that of dirt for nesting and bur are not allowed to brumate long- rowing are a requirement, Literature Cited term. Their conclusion is that only as are low-growing shrubs for hid Bour, R. 1987. L’identite’ des Tortues terrestres sick, fragile and very underweight ing and to get out of the sun for europenes: specimens-types et locali- tortoises should be kept “awake” body temperature regulating. Under tes-types. Revue fr. Aquariol., 13 (1986). (not allowed to brumate). these conditions, provided you Connor, M. J. PhD. 1993. Hermann’s Tortoise, have males and females, you should Testudo hermanni. The Tortuga Gazette I totally agree with Michael J. 29(8): 1-3, August 1993. Connor when he said this about be rewarded with fertile eggs for incubation. Highfield, A. C. Notes on the Systematics and Hermann’s tortoises in an article Ecology of Testudo hermanni Gmelin 1789 he wrote for the CTTC Tortuga Ga- Afterword
Galápagos Conservancy News 155 Captive-Reared Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. Tortoises Released on A varied selection of recent articles, stories and sites on the Web that some of you may find as interesting as I did. Santa Fe Island This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks/turtlenetpicks.html 28 February 2019—A group of 155 juvenile Española tortoises (Che- Phantasticus Lives! South Australian Turtles Face lonoidis hoodensis) were recently In the find of the century, biologists Trouble released on Santa Fe Island as part found a female Fernandina giant tortoise, Drought, invasive species, and habitat of ongoing efforts to restore its Chelonoidis phantasticus, living in one of destruction are taking a toll on South the isolated patches of vegetation that Australia’s remarkable turtles. ecosystem. The original Santa Fe has survived lava flows from La Cumbre The full report is available tortoise species went extinct more volcano. than 150 years ago, so the island is Videos Global Conservation Status of being repopulated with a tortoise • The capture showing her native Turtles and Tortoises species similar to the original Santa habitat An international team of scientists Fe tortoise. • In captivity on Isabela reviews and analyses the conservation status of all 360 currently recognized Jorge Carrión, director of the What the Tortoise Taught Us species of living and recently extinct Galápagos National Park Direc New insulin delivery system was inspired turtles and tortoises. torate (GNPD), commented: “All by a leopard tortoise!!!! the released tortoises have an SWOT Report intra-dermal identification micro Desert Tortoise Head-starting The fourteenth State of the World’s Sea chip to facilitate their monitoring Strategies Turtles report. Biologists examine the trade-offs of rear- in the future. The tortoise is the ing tortoises indoors, outdoors and after Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter largest herbivore of the Archipel direct release. Indoor-reared tortoises Latest issue available for free download. ago, and its release on Santa Fe grow faster than direct-released and aims to fulfill its role as ‘ecosystem outdoor-reared tortoises but have softer African Sea Turtle News engineer’ and contributes to the shells and lower weights. African Sea Turtle Newsletter #10 now dispersal of species such as Opun- available. tia cactus.” Sulawesi Forest Turtle Take a video walk through the Sulawesi Leg Tumor in Fossil Turtle Prior to their transfer from the Forest Turtle habitat at the Riverbank Relative Fausto Llerena Breeding Center Zoo. A specimen of the Chihuahua-sized, on Santa Cruz to Santa Fe, rangers Pappochelys rosinae, a shell-less turtle ensured the tortoises complied Temples Are Key Refugia for relative that lived 240-million-years ago with rigorous quarantine process Assam’s Turtles was afflicted with a type of bone cancer es. Upon the landing in the bay on Head-started black, Indian, and peacock similar to osteosarcoma found in humans. softshell turtles from temple ponds in Santa Fe, 11 park rangers and four Assam and Bangladesh are re-populating Linda Cayot Retires scientists unloaded the tortoises the wild. Giant tortoise biologist Linda Cayot has from the boat and carried them to retired after 38 years with the Galapagos the release area on the island. New Asian Softshell Conservancy. A new species of softshell turtle, Pelo- The recovery plan for Santa Fe discus variegatus, from north-central Bob Thomas Retires includes the annual release of ju Vietnam and Hainan Island, China. Longtime enthusiast Bob Thomas has venile tortoises to Santa Fe until Read the research paper retired and handed over his Arroyo Grande 2026. GC’s Wacho Tapia, Director Turtle and Tortoise Sanctuary to new of the Giant Tortoise Restoration Chasing Yangtze River Giant owners. Initiative, explained, “The first Softshells tortoises released in 2015 are CTTC on Facebook Brent Crane searches for the two Rafetus currently between 10 and 12 years swinhoei known to be left in the wild. For breaking news updates visit and “like” us on Facebook! old so they are expected to start Painted Turtle Navigation reproducing in the next five to sev Some turtles use magnetic fields to find en years.” The new inhabitants of their way around; painted turtles rely on Santa Fe add to the 394 that have their memories! been released in the past four years since this program began. [ — Galápagos Conservancy press release 7 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 8 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 An Introduction to the Ingestion of Stones, Bones, Fossils and Soil by Turtles by M. A. Cohen hile firsthand observations animals. In a subsequent section neutralize toxic properties of Wof this phenomenon are of this article, instances of this plants, and to maintain of a healthy rare, the ingestion of external min behavior from the research of the intestinal pH (acidity/alkalinity eral sources such as stones, bones, scientific community will be briefly balance). Turtles possibly absorb fossils, and soil by various turtle described. essential minerals such as calcium species has been documented Ingestion of soil (geophagy) and phosphorus from the swal through field research, scat analy Geophagy is a behavior known in lowed stones. sis, and radiography. humans and other animals. As a tra Gastroliths Some turtle keepers may be unfa ditional cultural practice, humans Composed of the Greek root words miliar with the behavior described consume soils for various reasons. gastro- , meaning stomach, and in this article, and some may think Pregnant women in some develop -lith, meaning stone, the term "gas this article refers to bladder stones, ing countries believe nutrient-rich trolith" is generally defined as a with which many tortoise keepers soils are beneficial to their pregnan stone retained within the gastroin are familiar. To avoid ambiguity, it is cies, some religious observances testinal tract to aid in the digestion necessary to clarify the concepts. include the ingestion of soils, and, in of tough foods. Bladder stones, known to science areas of extreme poverty, residents Researchers document that some as uroliths, are formed internally may consume soils to supplement a birds, fish, and reptiles swallow and are composed of urates, i.e., meager diet. small stones to aid digestion. uric acid waste products. While the Researchers documenting the in- Researchers also document the exact cause of bladder stones is gestion of soils in turtle species ingestion of gastroliths by amphib unknown, two factors—dehydration surmise that this behavior is pri ians and crocodilians, theorizing and too much protein in the diet— marily for mineral supplementation. that, in these cases, the practice are suspected as contributing to Analysis of clay soils consumed by serves to control the animals' the formation of the uroliths. pregnant women in Africa reveals buoyancy. The focus of this article is exter that these soils contain nutrients Gastroliths, also known as stomach nal mineral sources found in the critical to bone formation (Rosen stones or gizzard stones, help to environment and ingested by the berg, 2018). Turtles may swallow grind tough food items like fibrous coarse soils such as sand for the vegetation and the hard shells same reasons they ingest small of seeds for herbivores that lack Terminology stones, i.e., for grinding tough foods, grinding teeth. Scientists have for controlling internal parasites, recorded the sizes of gastroliths geophagia (also known as and as a source of minerals. geophagy): ingestion of soil sub ranging from sand particles to cob strates, often those rich in clay Ingestion of stones blestones depending on the size of or limestone. Geophagy occurs in (lithophagy) the animal ingesting the gastrolith. humans and other animals, and Generally accepted is the fact Ingestion of bones and fos- reasons for this practice vary by that the herbivore diet comprises sils (osteophagy) species. vegetation and seeds that are dif Calcium, a vitally important mineral lithophagia (a.k.a. lithophagy): ficult to digest because herbivores to turtle species, is essential for ingestion of small stones to aid typically lack grinding teeth. The normal skeletal and shell develop digestion, among other probable ingestion of small stones that are ment. Turtles have exceptionally reasons. retained within the digestive tract high calcium requirements because assists in the breakdown of the of the amount of bone tissue in osteophagia (a.k.a. osteophagy): tough cell walls of certain foods, ingestion of bones and bone their bodies. Female turtles of rendering the nutrients within the reproductive age require additional fragments for purposes of miner foods available to the animal. al supplementation. Osteophagy calcium during egg development provides additional calcium, According to Esque and Peters because both the egg yolk and the phosphorus, and other minerals (1994), other theories of stone egg shell are calcium-rich materials to an herbivore whose diet is ingestion include the following: (Yost et al., n.d.). typically low in these essential the presence of stones helps to Osteophagy is the most frequently minerals. control intestinal parasites, to observed of the three ingestion 9 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
observed osteophagy in their pets (Naish, 2014). Consuming bone fragments and gnawing on larger bones supplement the omnivorous diet of the box turtle with added calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Desert tortoise Mineral ingestion behavior by the desert tortoise (Gopherus agas- sizii) is well-documented. Esque and Peters (1994) cite instances of mineral ingestion in wild des ert tortoises, surmising that this behavior compensates for mineral deficiencies in desert soils and des ert plants. While all desert tortoises require mineral macronutrients and micro nutrients for optimal health, it is the young tortoises and the gravid females that have the greatest need for supplemental miner als. Young tortoises need these nutrients for skeletal and shell development, and gravid females X-ray of a large male desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, that swallowed numerous require added nutrients for egg small rocks. The tortoise was turned in to the CTTC Valley chapter by a private par- development. ty, who had fed the tortoise a diet of kale, radicchio, and Mazuri pellets. The private party kept the tortoise in an enclosure on a substrate of coconut fiber, which the Through their field studies in the tortoise had apparently been eating. Mojave Desert, Esque and Peters When the tortoise presented to the veterinarian, it was neither eating nor passing (1994) found that desert tortoises feces. Dr. Kenneth Coscarelli of the Newbury Park Veterinary Clinic ordered a ingested only white stones, not diagnostic x-ray, and, following evaluation, recommended a treatment regimen. gray, tan, or other colors. In the The treatment included the prescribed medications cisipride and metaclopramide, Mojave, white stones are largely both of which are used to assist in emptying the stomach and assisting in intestinal formed of caliche, also known as motility, plus soaks in warm water. calcite, which is primarily composed The diet of the tortoise was also modified the include a chopped salad of organic of calcium carbonate. dandelion greens, a very small amount of organic kale, with some organic iceberg for extra water. To increase the fiber, a small amount of soaked Mazuri pellets made Desert tortoises have been known into mush or soaked Bermuda grass hay pellet mush was mixed in with the greens. to mine caliche soils for ingestion By the end of the first week of treatment, four small rocks were passed. It took purposes. Researchers R. W. Mar about two months total to get the rocks completely out. low and K. Tollestrup observed As of mid-February 2019, this tortoise is in foster care awaiting adoption. female tortoises scraping away the Radiography by Newbury Park Veterinary Clinic; the image is reprinted with per- topsoil to reach the caliche subsoil, mission from the Clinic. as documented in a paper published in 1982. Subsequent research behaviors in turtles, and is observed potassium, selenium, boron, copper, revealed that local desert tortoises in both wild and captive individuals. zinc, and many others. routinely visit caliche mines for pur poses of mineral supplementation. Turtles ingest small bones, bone Instances of geophagy, fragments and fossilized bone to lithophagy, and osteophagy Osteophagy in desert tortoises has supplement their mineral needs. in turtles been observed in both wild animals Bones and fossils are rich sources and captives. Tortoises ingest small of minerals, not only calcium and Box turtle whole bones from carrion and gnaw phosphorus, but also trace minerals Keepers of North American box on weathered bones and even including magnesium, manganese, turtles, Terrapene species, have on the shells and bones of dead 10 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 tortoises found in the wild (Esque in southwestern Madagas and Peters, 1994). car, Thomas Leuteritz (2003) Galápagos tortoise recorded the ingestion of fish In her Ph.D. thesis, Dr. Linda Cayot and mammal bones and bone (1987) refers to the scat analysis of fragments, snail shells, mammal Galápagos tortoise fecal material hair, dried mammal and reptile and the finding that those analyses carcasses, as well as mammal, reveal the presence of soil particles reptile, and bird feces. His study and gravel in the scat of tortoises in also documented the ingestion an earlier study. of charcoal and sand by the species. Studies by Yost et al. (n.d.) indicate that the tortoises inhabiting the Mentioned in this study of radi oldest, lowest-elevation Galápa ated tortoise behavior is the Close-up of the stones that passed through the diges- gos islands are generally the fact that the leopard tortoise tive tract of the desert tortoise in the x-ray image on (Geochelone [=Stigmochelys] saddle -backed varieties that are page 9. Photo by Karen Berry. usually smaller in overall size and pardalis) also engages in osteo phagy, according to a 1992 have thinner shells than their larger, formation of their eggs. As men higher -domed counterparts from paper by S. J. Milton published in the tioned, egg yolks and egg shells are South African Journal of Zoology. islands with more humid highland largely composed of calcium, phos habitats. phorus, and other minerals. Red-footed tortoise Depletion of calcium and other An omnivorous forest tortoise Hermann's tortoise endemic to northern South Amer vital nutrients in the soils on the Documenting scavenging behavior older Galápagos Islands account ica, the red-footed tortoise by Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo (Chelonoidis carbonaria) consumes for the fact that the saddle-backed hermanni) in Serbia, Nikolić et al. tortoises are smaller overall. Soils more fruit than any other single (2016) note that, while the spe food item. Like many other tortoise in the humid highlands are more cies is widely regarded as primarily nutritionally complete, therefore, species, however, the red-footed herbivorous, its diet also includes tortoise is an opportunistic feeder. the tortoises in the humid highlands "mushrooms, soil, sand, pebbles, grow larger because of their nutri and animal matter," a fact con Wang et al. (2011) conducted stud tionally superior foods (Yost et al., firmed by several researchers. ies of the species in the Pantanal, n.d.). Scientists confirm that Hermann's an enormous wetland region in Bra Gopher tortoise tortoise also periodically ingests zil. Their research confirms that, in Native to the southeastern United soil—geophagy—for mineral addition to fruit, flowers, and leaves, States, gopher tortoises, Gopherus supplementation. the species also ingests a variety of polyphemus, are herbivores. Moore other items, including invertebrates T. hermanni also feeds on mammal such as ants, snails, and termites, and Dornberg (2014) conducted feces, apparently for the bone studies of the species, concentrat vertebrate carrion such as bones, fragments and hair it contains, as egg shells, feathers, scales, and ing on female gopher tortoises. The well as on carrion. Such "sporadical scientists used field observation, skin, fungi such as mushrooms and carnivorous behavior" is consid toadstools, and soils. scat photography, analysis of scat ered to be relic, and it requires samples, and radiography in their additional investigation to better Following scat analysis of samples research. understand the ecological require from both male and female red- Analysis of the gopher tortoise ments of the species (Nikolić et al. footed tortoises, Wang et.al. (2011) x -rays revealed that 85% of gravid 2016). identified vertebrate carrion in 25% females had stones, bones, bone of the females' scat though it was Radiated tortoise only 12.5% of their total intake. fragments, or seashells in their While the radiated tortoise (Geo- digestive tracts, while only 5% of One might conclude that females chelone [= Astrochelys] radiata) is ingesting such mineral-rich items non -gravid females contained such primarily herbivorous in its dietary items. as bones and egg shells could be choices, the species is an "opportu related to reproduction, specifically These findings led Moore and Dorn nistic" omnivore, ingesting various to the development of egg yolks berg to conclude that the gravid types of animal matter for mineral and egg shells. females engaged in lithophagy and supplementation (Leuteritz 2003). osteophagy to overcome mineral Researchers also observed red- During his studies of the feeding footed tortoises ingesting sand deficiencies in their diet during the behavior of the radiated tortoise 11 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 during their foraging activities and identified sand in scat analyses. Meetings and Programs Sand could aid in the digestion of Click on your Chapter’s website link for the latest program information. Programs tough foods, and might be a source may be scheduled after newsletter publication. of minerals for the tortoises. [ Chino Valley Santa Barbara-Ventura References 15 March; 19 April Contact the chapter for Cayot, L. (1987). Ecology of Giant Tortoises meeting information. (Geochelone elephantopus) in the Galápagos Foothill Islands. Ph.D. dissertation, Syracuse Univer- 22 March; 26 April Santa Clarita sity, New York. p. 271. High Desert 16 March – Regina Conroy on Esque, T. and Peters, E. (1994). Ingestion of 11 March; 8 April "Wildlife and You" bones, stones, and soil by desert tortoises. T Ooslo (San Luis Obispo) In: R. B. Bury and D. J. Germano, eds. Biology Inland Empire of North American Tortoises. Washington, 1 March; 5 April 19 March; 16 April DC: USDI National Biological Survey, Fish and TTCS (Long Beach) Wildlife Research 13. pp. 105-111. Kern County 15 March; 19 April Leuteritz, T. (2003). Observations on diet and 11 March; 8 April drinking behaviour of radiated tortoises Low Desert Valley (Geochelone radiata) in Southwest Madagas- 1 April 15 March; 19 April car. African Journal of Herpetology, [online] 52(2), pp.127-130. Available at: http://dx.doi. Orange County Executive Board org/10.1080/21564574.2003.9635490 8 March; 12 April 13 April. Meetings take place at the Los Angeles County Moore, J. and Dornberg, A. (2014). Ingestion of Ridgecrest Fossil Seashells, Stones and Small Mammal Arboretum in Arcadia, CA. Bones by Gravid Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus 11 March; 8 April polyphemus) in South Florida. Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History 55(1), pp.55-63. Naish, D. (2014). Turtles that eat bone, rocks and soil, and turtles that mine. [Blog] Tetrapod Zoology. Available at: https://blogs. Classified Advertisements scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/ Classified advertisements run for one issue at $500 for up to four lines. Ads are turtles-that-eat-bone-rocks-and-soil-and- turtles-that-mine/ accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Classified ads are available to members and subscribers only and are run as a service to our members. California Turtle Nikolić, M., Savić, D., Ilić, M., Stojadinović, D., Crnobrnja-Isailović, J.: A note on scavenging & Tortoise Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tortuga behaviour of adult Hermann’s tortoise Gazette. (Testudo hermanni). Biologica Nyssana, 7 (1), Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. September 2016: 53-55. Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Rosenberg, M. (2018). Geophagy – Eating Dirt. [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: Nuys, CA 91409-7300. https://www.thoughtco.com/ Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR, mail fee to the geophagy-eating-dirt-1433451 postal address above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor. Walde, A., Delaney, D., Harless, M. and Pater, L. (2009). Osteophagy by the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). The Southwestern California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned Naturalist, 52(1), pp.147-149. Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, by the California Turtle & Tortoise Club Execu- Wang, E., Donatti, C., Ferreira, V., Raizer, J. and Conservation and Education since 1964. Pro- tive Board, which is incorporated in the State of Himmelstein, J. (2011). Food Habits and Notes moting and Facilitating the Care, Rehoming, California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is on the Biology of Chelonoidis carbonaria and Adoption of Native and Nonnative Turtles tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). (Spix 1824) (Testudinidae, Chelonia) in the and Tortoises. All material is copyright © CTTC unless Southern Pantanal, Brazil. South American otherwise attributed. CTTC policy permits repro- Journal of Herpetology, 6(1), pp.11‑19. duction of articles by other not-for-profit groups and educational institutions when permission is Yost, R., Martinez, R., Gibbs, J. and Blake, S. (n.d.). requested. Permission is granted on a case-by- Potential role of soil calcium and phosphorus Is your email address changing? case basis and CTTC must be cited as the source on Galápagos tortoise growth. Update your email address through your of the material. MailChimp account by clicking the “Update Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are Special thanks to Karen Berry of the CTTC’s Your Preferences” link on your newsletter those of the contributors and not necessarily Valley chapter for her invaluable assistance notice. Or send your changes and corrections those of the Editor or the California Turtle & Tor- during the preparation this article. to [email protected] toise Club. 12 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 The female park rangers protecting turtles from traffickers in Nicaragua by Monica Pelliccia posted on Mongabay on 21 December 2018 7 The female park rangers in more women have Nicaragua’s San Juan del Sur joined their ranks area patrol the beaches against since then. the theft of eggs from endan Sea turtles return gered sea turtles that nest to the place where there. they were born to 7 Species like the leatherback reproduce. They turtle have dwindled to less follow routes that than 3 percent of their popula are known to the tion in the eastern Pacific in the rangers, and to the last three generations. egg traffickers. El Ostional is one of 7 In Nicaragua, an estimated many nesting spots more than 6,000 dozen turtle along Nicaragua’s eggs are sold every month, with Park rangers Yajaira Vargas and Karen Lacayo in the El Ostional nursery where Pacific coast. restaurants by the coast of they work daily. Image by Monica Pelliccia. fering them in dishes as part of A few kilometers The sign near the nursery door reads as follows: “En esta playa anidan tortugas from El Ostional their menus. marinas. Mantenla limpia.” This sign translates as "Sea turtles nest on this beach. Keep it clean." sits La Flor Beach, 7 The NGO that hires the one of seven mass rangers say they manage to nesting sites for preserve 90 percent of turtle turning off and on again a few me ters apart, like lonely fireflies. sea turtles in the world. Thousands nests on the beaches they arrive here between July and De patrol, compared to 40 per The flickering flashlights belong to cember every year to lay their eggs. cent on government-patrolled hueveros, turtle egg traffickers who In a single week, 70,000 turtles beaches. scour the beaches of La Flor Wild might cram onto the sand, accord The lights draw uncertain lines un life Refuge, a marine conservation ing to Liza González, the head of der the blanket of stars that joins area, every night. Paso Pacífico. the sea to the sky at El Ostional “Tonight, there are quite a few hue- It’s an attraction for tourists and Beach in southern Nicaragua, 30 veros because an olive ridley sea residents, and the eggs are a trea kilometers (19 miles) from the bor turtle laid its eggs yesterday,” says sure for those who take and sell der with Costa Rica. The silence Yajaira Vargas, a park ranger at El them illegally. of the darkness is interrupted by Ostional. “They usually nest during the noise of waves crashing on the the waning moon.” “There is egg theft on all the beach shore and the clicks of flashlights es,” González says, adding that, in Vargas, 30, is one of the five women places without park rangers, traf who work as fickers snatch nearly all of the eggs. park rangers for the NGO “On mass nesting beaches Paso Pacíf controlled by the Ministry of En ico, which vironment and Natural Resources, promotes the looting is estimated at 40 per biodiversity cent,” González says. “We succeed conservation in protecting more than 90 percent initiatives in of nests in the spots where our Nicaragua. The rangers work.” organization Following the moon started hir The previous night, Vargas saw an ing women as olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys An olive ridley turtle heads back to sea after nesting at an undisclosed loca- park rangers olivacea) emerge from the water tion. Photo © 2004 by Brad Flickinger. Source Wikimedia Commons; license in 2009, and and walk around on the sand until it CC-BY-2.0. 13 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019 found a hidden spot to lay its eggs. “Many hueveros tell me It used its flippers to dig a hole that they would like to around 50 centimeters (20 inches) give me their loot, but deep, and then it stayed there for they need it because another 40 minutes laying 70 eggs, it’s their only source one after another. of income. They don’t Once the work was finished, the have any other options. turtle covered the hole and went That’s why we try to back to the ocean. It will never meet exchange the eggs for its hatchlings, who will be born after money, incentives or 45 days. At that point, they’ll have a vouchers that they can gauntlet to run, as they try to avoid use to buy food in the predators that hunt them from grocery store.” the air, such as cormorants and Four endangered Yajaira Vargas, a park ranger at El Ostional Beach in Nicaragua, pa- seagulls, as well as those in the sea, species trolling the beaches of La Flor Wildlife Refuge on the lookout for sea like white sharks and killer whales. Twice a month, Vargas turtles. Image by Monica Pelliccia. Vargas always pays attention to the and fellow ranger La sea, even when she isn’t working. cayo take a boat out Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys She studies the phases of the moon to monitor the turtle populations coriacea), however, have seen some to understand the life cycle of tur in the marine protected area. All of the biggest declines in the east tles, a rhythm she learned about of the area’s sea turtle species are ern Pacific: Their population is now during her two years as a night classified as vulnerable, endangered less than 3 percent of what it was ranger with her colleague, Karen or critically endangered on the three generations ago, according Lacayo. International Union for the Con to the “State of the World’s Sea Turtles” (SWOT) report Vargas says she loves her job. that focuses on the problem She has imparted her passion in South America. The main to the other members of her threats to turtles identified in family, especially to her oldest the study include incidental daughter, 6-year-old Shanti capture in deep-sea fishing Sofía. equipment, egg theft, and “If we want to tease her, we the construction of hotels tell her we’ll be eating turtle and other buildings near their eggs,” Vargas says as she nesting sites, which compli pulls her hair up to reveal her cates the laying of eggs due turtle-shaped earrings. “My to light pollution and human daughter says that eggs need presence. to hatch [on the beach], not in Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) grazing on seagrass. Photo © 2013 Turtle eggs are a valuable the mouth.” by P. Lindgren. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license CC BY-SA 3.0. commodity, especially be Shanti Sofía is a junior ranger, tween December and July and like most of the children who every year, when the mass arrivals servation of Nature’s Red List. The attend the communal school, she’s of sea turtles are still a few months most frequently encountered is the involved in the educational pro away. Only occasionally will a turtle olive ridley turtle, whose population grams organized by Paso Pacífico. leave the ocean to lay eggs during has been nearly halved in the last this time. Although nighttime is when the ac three generations. The other local tion takes place, the female rangers species are even more threatened. To improve their success rate, peo only work the daytime shift. Still, Numbers of the green turtle (Che- ple who steal eggs go waist-deep their strategy is the same. lonia mydas), which can weigh up into the water, catch the turtles and “When we see a huevero, we go to 300 kilograms (660 pounds), haul them up onto the beach, car to him and try to convince him are down by more than 60 percent rying up to three at a time in their that if he keeps stealing eggs, his in the last three generations, and arms. Then they watch them while children won’t ever see a turtle the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys they lay their eggs, sometimes even because they’ll be extinct,” Vargas imbricata) is almost extinct, having placing a bag under the turtle so says during a patrol on El Ostional. lost 80 percent of its population they catch every single egg. in the last three generations. 14 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
Over the next few days, they’ll sell of the country’s banknotes. had contracted when she was sick,” the eggs for $1.50 or $2 a dozen. Nicaragua is one of the worst-per says Liessi Calero, a 29-year-old An estimated 6,250 dozen eggs forming countries in the Americas park ranger who has patrolled are sold every month in Nicaragua, on the United Nations’ human Brasilon Beach for two years. “The valuing the trade at up to $13,000, development index. The country police arrested her when she was according to a 2012 report by Fau has been mired in a deep political coming back by bus from taking na & Flora International. Most of crisis since late April 2018, lead eggs with other women, and she the people interviewed for the re ing to massive demonstrations by spent a month in prison. When she port said they had eaten turtle eggs students unhappy with changes to was released, she stopped doing it.” because it’s a typical food Every day at dawn, Calero in Central America. It’s also and fellow ranger Darling thought to be healthy and Delgado put on their blue have aphrodisiac powers. uniforms and go to work. The hunters usually sell They used to spend the the eggs in the markets of day doing house chores the capital, Managua, or in and taking care of their the city of Masaya, close families. Now they walk to to the active volcano of the main street and wait the same name. When the to hitch a ride or take the turtle nesting season is in first bus to Brasilon Beach, full swing, the markets are 7 kilometers (4.4 miles) full of eggs. Vendors dis from El Coco, where they play them in their kiosks, live. El Coco is a village of and some restaurants 200 inhabitants on the Rangers Darling Delgado and Liessi Calero patrol Brasilon Beach in Nicaragua in along the coast in Mana April 2018. Image by Monica Pelliccia. road to touristy San Juan gua and León offer dishes del Sur, a renowned surf that contain turtle eggs. mecca. It’s also a place Mongabay Latam contacted Ron social security and other reforms. where the extraction of turtle ald Miranda Mejía, an official with The protesters have also com eggs is a practice that goes back the Ministry of Environment and plained about oppression in the generations. Natural Resources in the Depart streets and demanded the resig At 6:30 a.m., they arrive at Brasilon, ment of Rivas, to ask about turtle nation of President Daniel Ortega. a white-sand beach where pelicans egg theft in the eastern Pacific. He More than 250 people have died soar above long waves beyond the hung up the phone after hearing and 1,800 injured during the pro break, ending their horizontal flight the question. tests and subsequent crackdowns, to dive into the water for fish. Cale as reported by the Inter-American ro and Delgado watch the beach to Turtle egg consumption and theft is Commission on Human Rights. illegal under a 2005 law. Penalties prevent the theft of the eggs laid range from jail time of two to four Amid this political strife and lack of by the turtles during the night. years and fines of up to $10,000. employment opportunities, families “We start the day by revising the In practice, however, no one stays in the region have had to rely on notes that the night rangers left behind bars very long for these the sea for survival, even when that for us, where we can see the turtles crimes, according to locals working means trafficking turtle eggs. All of with Paso Pacífico. the female rangers know of neigh Despite the prohibition on the trade bors, relatives and and the threat of extinction that friends who steal turtles face, egg theft is a common turtle eggs. Many practice on these beaches. of the rangers Relying on the Pacific themselves did the The ocean is at the center of life for same in the past. Nicaraguans born and raised in the “My mother-in-law communities next to the turquoise used to be a hue- waters of the Pacific, and turtles vera. She started are an integral part of it. They’re a stealing eggs to Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting on a Caribbean Island. national symbol, appearing on some settle debts she Photo by USFWS. Public domain. 15 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
park ranger, Félix Pedro chance to feel useful, not only at Reyes, who will work home. I work to achieve equality until 6 a.m., checking and take care of nature.” each of the lights that A single mother of 10 children, to appear on these beach day she proudly sees herself as the es at night. head of her household, where some “I was born in a com of her 28 grandchildren run and munity of hueveros. I play. was raised in the Pacific “I’m the boss here!” says the Ocean. I’ve lived by 56-year-old one day after return the sea my entire life. ing from her job at the nursery at El The Pacific has always Coco Beach. The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), famous for its responded to all our colorful shell, is almost extinct. Its population has decreased by needs,” Reyes says. “I In the yard, one of her grandchildren 80 percent in the last three generations. Photo by USFWS. Public became a huevero at 9 is playing with another child, who domain. years old with my group is chasing a butterfly with a stick. When they see what’s happening, that arrived during the previous of friends. We used to her grandchildren tell Martinez that night,” Delgado says. “We locate sell the eggs to international trad the child is hurting the butterfly. the nests and move [the eggs from] ers. I was the leader of the gang. “He is the son of a huevera. I’m tak the ones that could be in danger to Back then, I didn’t understand what ing care of him because his mother the nursery under this tree. We tag I was doing.” is in San Jorge Prison. She was ar each of the points where we bury For many years, Reyes used to go rested for stealing eggs,” Martínez the eggs to indicate the hatching out to steal eggs every night. But says. “She is a single mother who date.” a revolution engulfed Nicaragua in has no one to care for her children.” Each hatching is a big event for the the late 1970s, and at 13 years old, Martínez approaches the boy and rangers. For many, it’s the best part Reyes went to fight with the insur tries to explain to him how import of their job. Once the baby turtles gent Sandinista National Liberation ant it is to protect nature and to hatch, the rangers, accompanied by Front. More than five years passed care for the Pacific Ocean, which is their children, wait until the evening before he could return to his home part of who they are. [ to release the baby turtles, when and his ocean. By then, he was suf there are fewer hungry predators in fering from post-traumatic stress Originally published on Mongabay on 21 the sky and the sea. They also clean disorder, and it would be years be December 2018. Republished under the Creative Commons license CC-BY-NC-ND. up the plastic waste brought in by fore he could live a normal life again. the tide because it makes nesting Every night, he would hunt for turtle Author information: Monica Pelliccia is an Italian freelance multimedia journalist. She writes on more complicated. The trash is yet eggs the same way he now guards their nests. environmental and social topics, such as biodi- another obstacle that the little tur versity conservation, women’s issues, climate tles have to contend with in their “I used to take everything there change, indigenous people rights, food security struggle to survive. was on these beaches, until one and agroecology. “We are the only organization that night, after stealing the eggs of employs women rangers in the five green turtles that had come to Paso Pacífico, a conservation organiza- country, which is rare throughout La Flor, I realized that people were tion based in Nicaragua, characterizes doing the same on the neighbor its missions as follows: "Our mission is Latin America,” Paso Pacífico’s Liza to restore and protect the Pacific Slope González says. “They have shown ing beach,” Reyes says. “I started ecosystems of Mesoamerica. These hab- clear leadership: They used to be thinking that we were exhausting itats include the endangered dry tropical housewives, and now they play a our natural resources and that if we forest, mangrove wetlands, and eastern very important role for the liveli continued, the future generations Pacific coral reefs ... Our innovative wouldn’t know about turtles.” approach protects biodiversity where hood of their families and for the people already live. By working with local conservation of the environment.” Maura Antonia Martínez had a sim communities, landowners, and partner ilar epiphany. organizations, we restore and protect ‘I used to steal eggs. Now the habitats that form building blocks for I’m a park ranger’ “When I was 18, I ate and stole eggs wildlife corridors." For more information, The sun is at its highest point above to help my family’s economy. I didn’t visit the Paso Pacífico website. Brasilon Beach. It’s 1 p.m., and Cale understand the damages we were ro and Delgado must get back home inflicting upon our environment,” and leave their spot to the evening Martínez says. “Now I have the 16 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
Foothill Chapter Upcoming Events Friday, April 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm: Annual Plant Auction The plant auction is a chapter fundraising event. This and all our meetings are open to the public, with free parking, admission, and refreshments. Plant auction donations include a wide variety of California natives, "tortoise friendly" plants, trees and aquatic plants provided by Steve List, local nurseries, water gardens, and members.
Friday, June 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm: Annual Health Clinic and Micro-Chipping plus Silent Auction Health clinic includes de-worming and micro-chipping for tur- tles and tortoises. De-worming fee: $1000; micro-chipping fee: $2000. These services are provided by Dr. Dennis Fees of the Arcadia Small Animal Hospital. To participate and receive health ser- vices, one must be a member in good standing of the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. Silent Auction: donations come from restaurants, businesses, stores, gift cards, and specially selected items. Foothill Chapter meeting location: Los Angeles Arboretum (Palm Room), 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 Additional information: contact chapter president Robin Robb (951) 359-3003 or [email protected] 17 Tortuga Gazette 55(2) • March/April 2019
TOOSLO Chapter News Galápagos Conservancy News TOOSLO Chapter Female Tortoise Found on Fernandina Island Changes Its Meeting 19 February 2019—Galápagos Con Park rangers Eduardo Vilema, Day and Location servancy’s Wacho Tapia, Director Roberto Ballesteros, and Simon of the Giant Tortoise Restoration Villamar also participated in the CTTC's TOOSLO Chapter will Initiative, discovered a female tor expedition, which was funded by change its meeting day and loca- toise on Fernandina with the help of Animal Planet, and helped transfer tion beginning in March 2019. Galápagos National Park ranger Jef the tortoise to the breeding center The chapter will meet on the third freys Málaga on a recent expedition on Santa Cruz Island. Geneticists Tuesday of each month beginning to the island. Fernandina tortoises at Yale University will evaluate a on March 19, 2019. As of this date, (Chelonoidis phantasticus) were blood sample to confirm her genetic the new meeting location will be : believed to be extinct for more than origin, and another trip to Fernan a century, making this a truly mon dina is planned for later this year Ludwig Community Center umental find — and an emotional to search for additional tortoises. 864 Santa Rosa Street high point in Wacho’s life’s work: If more tortoises are located, they San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. [ “The conservation of Galápagos gi will be brought into captivity with ant tortoises has been my world for this female in hopes that they may 29 years, and I have been involved breed and young can be reared — in many exciting events, including eventually to be returned to their [ the discovery of a new species of native island. tortoise. But this time, the emotion — Galápagos Conservancy press release I feel is indescribable. To find a liv ing tortoise on Fernandina Island is perhaps the most important find of the century.The only live specimen of the species from Eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina. Fernandina was found 112 years Public domain ago. Now we just need to confirm the genetic origin of this female.”
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