May | June 2017 the Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 California & Club founded in 1964 and dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education

Ornate , ornata, photographed in Harris County, . Photo © 2008 by Patrick Feller. Source: Creative Commons; license CC-BY-SA 2.0. , Terrapene ornata (Agassiz, 1857) The Western Box Turtleby M. A. Cohen anging from the Rocky Moun- the T. ornata. The original ornate Identification tains eastward to the Mississippi box turtle described by Agassiz in 1857 The ornate box turtle is a small, primar- R River, the ornate box turtle, Ter- became the first ,T. ornata or- ily terrestrial chelonian with a rapene ornata, is the western counterpart nata. American herpetologist H. M. Smith round or oval, distinctively patterned car- of the common, or eastern box turtle, a and a colleague named Ramsey formally apace and a hinged, patterned plastron. group of species and subspecies known described the second species, T. ornata “The coloration and markings pres- collectively by the scientific name Terra- luteola, the , in 1952. See ent on the carapace, plastron, head, and pene carolina. the section titled “Subspecies” for a more limbs can be highly variable from one Formally described by Swiss-Ameri- detailed discussion of the two subspecies. population to the next,“ according to the can biologist Louis Agassiz (1807–1873) While the genus name Terrapene de- website Texas , using the phrase in 1857, the North American T. ornata is rives from an Algonquin Indian word for “polymorphic species” to describe Ter- native to the Great Plains of the United ‘turtle,’ the species name ornata means rapene ornata (Terrapene_Ornata, n.d.). States as well as two states in northwest- ‘ornate’ or ‘decorated’ and refers to the The term polymorphic derives from two ern Mexico. Nearly a full century after the intricate patterning on the species’ cara- Greek root words meaning ‘many’ (poly-) initial description, researchers validated pace and plastron (Ernst and Lovich, and ‘forms’ (-morphic). Having stated this, the existence of two subspecies within 2009). generalizations about appearance follow. 2 As a rule, the carapace of T. able of Contents ornata is highly domed, slightly

T Turtle of the Month flattened at the top, and of- Ornate Box Turtle ten has a broad yellow stripe, Terrapene ornata either continuous or dashed, running lengthwise down the 1 The Western Box Turtle by M. A. Cohen center. Scutes, the keratinized 4 Thousands in Ohio Ask State to Ban Unlim- plates that cover the turtle’s ited Wild Turtle Trapping – Center for Biological bony carapace, display a pat- Diversity press release tern of wide yellow stripes on 5 Why Bootleggers Make Good Conserva- a darker background radiating tionists by Whit Gibbons outward from the center of 8 Gerald McQuade: Tortoise Keeper and each scute on the carapace. Mosaic Artist Ordinarily the background 12 Iowa Reins in Exploitative Turtle Trapping color of the carapace, which is Hatchling ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata, photographed at the – Center for Biological Diversity press release South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock, Texas. Photo © 2011 usually keel-less, ranges from by Onebiglie. Source: Creative Commons, license CC-BY-SA 3.0. 13 CHS: Herpetology 2017 – Abstracts prepared by an olive-brown to a reddish- the Chicago Herpetological Society staff brown while the pattering is centimeters) or 10 to 11 years old (van yellowish, creamy yellow or white. The Dijk & Hammerson, 2011). in every issue : species’ plastron may have a back- Sexual dimorphism, i.e., differences 2 Table of Contents ground color of creamy-yellow with in the appearance of the male and fe- brown or black radiating lines. Con- Classified Advertisements male of a given species, exists in ornate 6 versely, the plastron may be brown to s Membership Information box turtles. Typically, adult males are black with creamy-yellow pattern lines somewhat smaller in overall size than 7 Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, PhD (Terrapene_ornata, n.d.). females, and the rear lobe of their plas- s Meetings and Programs The species’ plastron has scutes that trons is concave The males’ eyes have bear similar markings to those of the 10 The Turtle’s Garden: Tortoise Berry a red iris while their heads may have a carapace. Between the pectoral and greenish coloration. In addition, males (Nylandtia spinosa) by M. A. Cohen the abdominal plastral scutes, the spe- have longer, thicker tails than females. cies’ plastron features a flexible hinge that divides the plastron into two In contrast, females are slightly larger lobes. The plastral hinge, at hatching, overall than males, the rear lobe of Saturday, May 6 ~ 10 am to 3 pm is not fully developed, and does not their plastrons is flat or slightly convex, Peggy Nichols Mini-Show become fully functional until about and the females’ eyes have a yellowish- Turtle & Tortoise Care Society (Long Beach) four years of age. Thus, the hatchlings brown iris (Terrapene ornata, n.d.). @ El Dorado Nature Center and juveniles are relatively defenseless The coloration of the ornate box 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach CA 90815 as compared to subadults and adults, turtle’s head, limbs and tail is gener- see page 14 of this issue for driving directions and, as such, suffer greater levels of ally brown to black, and the species’ mortality (Ornate box turtle, n.d.). skin may display a pattern of yellow The combination of a relatively long, California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society Dedicated to markings. Furthermore, the tail of the Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Edu- hinged plastron and a high-domed species often has a yellow stripe on its cation Since 1964. Promoting and Facilitating the Care, carapace enables the ornate box turtle upper (dorsal) surface. Rescue and Adoption of Native and Nonnative Turtles and to completely withdraw into its shell, . thereby “boxing” itself inside and pro- Subspecies The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned by the Cal- tecting the soft tissues of its head, Terrapene ornata ornata ifornia Turtle & Tortoise Club Executive Board, which is limbs and tail quite effectively against (Agassiz, 1857) incorporated in the State of California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). attacks by predators. The prairie subspecies of T. ornata, All material is copyright © CTTC unless otherwise attrib- Both male and female ornate box known by the common name of or- uted. CTTC policy permits reproduction of articles by turtles reach an adult straight-line car- nate box turtle, inhabits open, treeless, other not-for-profit groups and educational institutions apace length (SCL) of ±6 inches (±15.4 sandy plains, gently rolling hills and when permission is requested. Permission is granted on a centimeters). Because of the relatively grasslands with sparse scrub-brush case-by-case basis and CTTC must be cited as the source of the material. high dome of its carapace, scientists vegetation. Sometimes entering oak- Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are those of the sometimes describe the length of T. or- walnut woodland areas along streams, contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor or the nata in terms of its plastron rather than ornate box turtles will seek water to California Turtle & Tortoise Club. its SCL, as in the following paragraph. quench thirst, avoid dehydration, and thermoregulate in hot weather (Ornate Is your email address changing? While males reach breeding age at a box turtle, n.d.). Please update your email address through your MailChimp plastral length of 4 to 4.3 inches (10 to Especially in the northern reaches account, or send changes/corrections to tgdistribution@ 11 centimeters) or 8 to 9 years of age, tortoise.org females generally mature at a plas- of its range, T. o. ornata digs a shallow tral length of 4.3 to 5 inches (11 to 13 hibernaculum in which it survives

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 3 winter, entering brumation beginning in Habitat Texas up to the fringes of the desert in the September in the coldest areas. The spe- According to a technical conservation southwestern as well as the cies may utilize kangaroo rat burrows and assessment by Redder, et al., ornate box states of Chihuahua and Sonora in north- hollows in limestone shelves as shelters; turtles, regardless of subspecies, require western Mexico (Terrapene ornata, n.d.). it also resides in black-tailed prairie-dog three types of microhabitat within a towns in the Great Plains (Ernst & Lovich, Foods and Feeding habitable ecosystem, including feeding Theoretically omnivorous in its feed- 2009). Therefore, the turtle selects habitat areas having access to free water, nesting ing practices, T. ornata will use the senses locations within its range that offer suit- sites that may also serve as hibernacula, of sight and smell to detect food sourc- able burrowing opportunities as well as and resting/thermoregulatory sites with es. Wild ornate box turtles tend to be water sources. soft soil or leaf litter that is used to avoid carnivorous, with the majority of prey When spring arrives, all ornate box extreme temperatures and to maintain items being insect species. Researchers turtles in a given area emerge from their water balance (Redder, Dodd, Jr., Ph.D., document the following as food items: hibernacula within one to two weeks Keinath, Mcdonald, & Ise, 2006). earthworms, snails millipedes, sowbugs, of each other, at which time the court- crayfish and insects such as ants, beetles, ship-and-mating season begins cicadas, caterpillars, crickets, (Ornate box turtle, n.d.). grasshoppers, stick insects, rob- As a rule, T. o. ornata has a ber flies, and harvestmen, and darker background color on its spiders (Ernst & Lovich, 2009). The carapace than T. o. luteola, as well species, both wild and captive as having fewer yellow markings individuals, will also consume a on each of its scutes and on its variety of fruits and vegetables, skin. See the photograph on this including cantaloupe, blackber- page for a comparison of the ries, mulberries, persimmons, carapacial markings of the two strawberries, green pea pods, subspecies. dandelion, prickly-pear cactus, Terrapene ornata luteola and tomatoes. Researchers have (Smith & Ramsey, 1952) also observed T. ornata consum- The arid-region subspecies ing amphibian, bird, fish, and of T. ornata, commonly known mammal carrion (Terrapene_or- as the desert box turtle, adapts nata, n.d.). to drier ecosystems than the or- Side-by-side comparison of the markings on the carapaces of the two subspecies: the ornate box Reproduction nate box turtle. The term luteola turtle, T. o. ornata (left), and the desert box turtle, T. o. luteola (right). Photo © 2006 by LA Dawson. Source: Creative Commons; license: CC BY-SA 2.5. Reproductive maturity in T. or- derives from a Latin root word nata more closely corresponds meaning ‘yellowish.’ Referring to Range to size than to age. Although the court- the overall lighter appearance of the des- Native to , T. ornata ship-and-mating ritual sometimes takes ert subspecies as compared to the darker inhabits the central and southwestern place in summer or fall, it usually occurs in ornate subspecies, luteola may also allude United States and northwestern Mexico spring following the turtles’ emergence to the relative abundance of yellow pat- from the Rocky Mountains in the west to from brumation (Ernst & Lovich, 2009). terning on the carapace and plastron of the Mississippi River in the east. Generally Thus, the activity period, including the the desert box turtle. speaking, the northernmost reaches of its mating season, for T. ornata extends from The species Inhabits semidesert and range include South Dakota and Wiscon- March–April to October–November. desert grasslands and prairies with com- sin, and the southernmost boundary of While most nesting occurs in June, the paratively low humidity levels, low soil its range occurs in northwestern Mexico nesting season usually extends from mid- temperatures, and high air temperatures (Terrapene ornata, n.d.). May to mid-July, with one to two clutches in the southwestern United States and Found at elevations from sea level to laid per season. Clutch size ranges from in northwestern Mexico. For example, approximately 21,000 feet (6,500 meters), one to eight eggs, four to five eggs be- in southwestern , T. o. luteola is with the average being approximately ing the average, with smaller clutches commonly active during the summer 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) of elevation, the tending to consist of larger eggs. Nesting monsoon (July through September) species prefers a year-round temperature sites in open areas that feature relatively when humidity levels are relatively high span of 77 to 86° F (25 to 30° C) (Terra- soft soil and good drainage are the most as compared with other times of the year pene ornata, n.d.). desirable to ornate box turtle species. In- (Ornate box turtle, n.d.; Ernst & Lovich, While the two subspecies share an cubation generally occurs for a period of 2009). overlapping range in the Great Plains of ±70 days. While the eyes of the female desert box the United States, T. o. ornata occurs pri- In the nest, incubation temperature turtle have a yellowish to brown iris, the marily in the central United States in the during a specific period in the devel- iris of the male is red, and the male’s tail states of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and opment of the embryos of most turtle is longer and thicker than that of the fe- Texas. On the other hand, T. o. luteola oc- species determines the gender of the male. cupies Arizona, and western hatchlings, a mechanism known as

May | June 2017 Tortuga Gazette 4 Following a recent Thousands in Ohio Ask State to Ban evaluation by sev- Unlimited Wild Turtle Trapping eral leading chelonian Commercial Traders Now Sell as Many Turtles as They Can Catch scientists, the Interna- Columbus, Ohio—10 April 2017—The tional Union for the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Conservation of Nature Club Ohio have sent more than 3,800 designated T. ornata as letters asking the Ohio Department of “near threatened” on Natural Resources to end unchecked its Red List of Threat- commercial collection of the state’s wild ened Species, based turtles. on a combination Turtle traders in Ohio can now legally of factors, including collect unlimited numbers of common “gradual habitat deg- snapping and softshell turtles to process radation and loss, and sell domestically or export for Asian and roadkill and food and medicinal markets. The letters other human-caused support a petition seeking a ban on for- Ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata, photographed in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas. accidental mortal- profit turtle trading filed by the Center Cooke County is on the Texas-Oklahoma border. Based on its coloration, i.e., red iris, red legs and ity, combined with the for Biological Diversity and several Ohio- green head, this appears to be a male ornate box turtle. Photo © 2005 Clinton and Charles Robert- son. Source: Creative Commons; license CC-BY-SA-2.0. species’ slow growth based conservation organizations in and very limited repro- January. temperature-dependent sex determina- ductive capacity“ (van “For-profit turtle traders should not tion. Research conducted on T. o. ornata Dijk & Hammerson, 2011). be allowed to put the state’s turtles at indicates that temperatures of 72.5 to Based on current population data, T. risk,” said Collette Adkins, a Center biolo- 77°F (22.5 to 25°C) yield male hatchlings; ornata is listed on the Convention in gist and senior attorney who authored temperatures of 78.8 to 84.2 (26 to 29°C) International Trade in Endangered Spe- the January petition. “Ohio desperately a mixture of males and female hatch out; cies as CITES II, a listing that entitles the needs limits on the number of snapping at temperatures above 84.2°F (29°C) all species to some legal protection from and softshell turtles trappers can take hatchlings are female (Reis, Schumaker, & unrestricted collection for international from the wild. Selling so many turtles for Kenney, 2017). trade in food and traditional medicine in meat is bad for the turtles, of course, but Predators and Threats foreign countries. also for all of us who care about the health Although predators exploit the ornate In 1986 the state of Kansas officially des- of the state’s waterways and wetlands.” box turtle at all stages of its life, the eggs ignated T. o. ornata as the state . Ω Under current regulations in Ohio, and juveniles of the species are at signifi- References anyone with an annual fishing license cantly greater risk than the adult turtles. Ernst, C. & Lovich, J. (2009). Turtles of the United States may trap and sell unlimited numbers of Documented predators include flesh flies, and Canada (2nd ed., pp. 426-438). Washington D.C.: common snappers, spiny softshells and bullfrogs, several snake species, crows Smithsonian Institution Press smooth softshells. Although Ohio law and ravens, vultures, hawks, golden Ornate box turtle (n.d.). Retrieved 01 March 2017, from prohibits live export of turtles, traders http://www. boxturtles. com/ornate-box-turtle/ . eagles, moles, voles, opossums, armadil- can sell live turtles within the state or pro- Ornate box turtle. ARKive. Retrieved 6 March 2017, from cess the to sell across state lines los, raccoons, badgers, skunks, domestic http://www.arkive.org/ornate-box-turtle/terrapene- dogs, coyotes, foxes, and domestic cats ornata/ or overseas for meat and medicinal mar- (Ernst & Lovich, 2009). Redder, A., Dodd, Jr., Ph.D., C., Keinath, D., Mcdonald, D., kets. Also, because turtles bioaccumulate In contrast to the eggs and juveniles, & Ise, T. (2006). Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata toxins from prey and burrow in contami- more adult ornate box turtles are killed ornata): A Technical Conservation Assessment (1st nated sediment, turtle meat is often laced ed.). USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, by vehicles (automobiles, farm machin- Species Conservation Project. Retrieved from https:// with mercury, PCBs and pesticides, pos- ery, and lawn mowers) than by all types www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stel- ing a health risk. Adult turtles are also of predators combined (Ernst & Lovich, prdb5182076.pdf taken from the wild to breed hatchlings 2009). Reis, A., Schumaker, W., & Kenney, S. (2017). Ornate Box for the international pet trade. Turtle (Terrapene ornata) Species Guidance (1st ed.). “All of our neighboring states ban or Threats to the species include agri- Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Natural Re- cultural and residential development of sources. Retrieved from http://greentier.wisconsin. limit for-profit turtle trapping, and Ohio prairies resulting in habitat degradation, gov/files/PDF/pubs/er/ER0711.pdf should too,” said Aaron Acus-Souders, destruction, fragmentation and loss, and, Terrapene ornata. Diversity Web. Retrieved 4 a clean water advocate from the Ohio historically, collection for the domes- March 2017, from http://animaldiversity.org/ac- Chapter of the Sierra Club. counts/Terrapene_ornata/ tic and international pet trade. Climate None of the states that share a border Terrapene ornata. Texas_turtles. Retrieved 3 March 2017, with Ohio allow unlimited commercial change poses a significant threat to any from http://www.texasturtles.org/Terrapene_ornata. species in which temperature-dependent html collection of turtles. Kentucky, Michi- sex determination dictates the ratios of van Dijk, P. & Hammerson, G. (2011). Terrapene ornata gan, and West Virginia prohibit males to females in a given population. (errata version published in 2016). IUCN Red List. Re- all commercial collection of turtles, and trieved 4 March 2017, from http://The IUCN Red List of Pennsylvania enforces strict bag limits. Ω Threatened Species 2011: e.T21644A97429080 Conservation ­— Center for Biological Diversity press release

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 5 Why Do Bootleggers Make Good Conservationists? by Whit Gibbons We watched the tiny TV screen, no bigger The imposing tortoises are officially discovered longleaf pine-wiregrass habi- than a deck of playing cards. Everyone protected in most regions of the south- tat, a rarity in itself. So unusual, in fact, is was silent as we peered at the eerie light east where they still occur. Gopher the habitat and its colony of tortoises that and saw the walls of the tunnel go by. The tortoises are known as a keystone spe- arrangements have been made by a con- image on the screen showed a turn in the cies, a plant or animal that controls the servation organization to purchase the tunnel and beyond that a long, straight character of an ecological system. Key- land and preserve the system. stretch. At the far end a dark form came stone species can dramatically alter the The colony was special to us because into view. structure and dynamics of a habitat in di- it represented the northernmost one Someone said in a soft voice, “What’s rect and indirect ways. Gopher tortoises known to exist for this fast disappearing that? Up ahead, at the end of the tunnel.” do so by modifying the landscape in the species. But perhaps the greatest thrill of No one spoke for a moment as the form sandy soil habitats where their burrows all, from an environmental standpoint, began to enlarge on the TV screen and serve as refuges not only for themselves was that the newfound colony differed in then someone else said, “It’s a tortoise! but for many other animals. another way from others reported in past Look, it’s moving.” A burrow may be more than thirty feet decades. Almost without exception, a re- A cheer went up from beneath the blue long and as wide and high as a full-grown port about a gopher tortoise colony has plastic tarpaulin we had used to shield gopher tortoise. The domed shells of been one of disruption or local extinc- the equipment from the sunlight. All ten big ones are over fourteen inches long, tion from such causes as development, of us spoke at once pointing to the image agriculture, highway on the screen. The burrow camera had construction, and cap- worked. We had found a gopher tortoise ture of individuals for in its underground tunnel. They are im- pets or food. Despite pressive in their ability to dig their own official protection, burrows. colonies are still giving A burrow camera is a simple device in way to the expanding terms of modern technology, but its val- human populations, ue for studying the secret lairs of animals especially in Florida. which live beneath the ground is immea- How could such surable. The device itself consists of 30 a discovery even be feet of fiber optics cable about the size of made in today’s world? a garden hose with a camera on one end How could a colony of and a monitor for viewing on the other. animals the size of vol- The camera is equipped with tiny infrared Gopher tortoise, polyphemus, photographed in Florida. Photo © 2008 by Craig O’Neal. leyballs go unseen by light sources so that the natural darkness Source: Creative Commons; license CC BY-SA 2.0. passersby or a longleaf in a deep tunnel appears fully illuminat- and their hind feet look like they should pine-wiregrass habitat ed, but only to the eye of the camera. belong to a miniature elephant. Gopher go untampered with? I like the answer. Many animals cannot see infrared light tortoises are the most terrestrial of the The land had been owned, and protected and may be unaware that their privacy eastern turtles, living a peaceful life graz- from outsiders for several generations by has been invaded. Humans cannot see ing on grasses and other vegetation, and bootleggers. infrared either, but the camera can. The spending the off hours of darkness or Their short-term impacts on people reflected light is converted into a picture cold weather underground. were special, but their long-term impact visible to us in the form of images appear- Our excitement at seeing the gopher on environmental preservation was even ing on a TV monitor. A dark-as-a-cave tortoise went beyond the thrill of using more so. Ω burrow can look like a brightly-lit room. a piece of military-like technology that Originally published in the Georgia Herpetological So- We found the tortoise in the fourth bur- ciety’s Georgia HerpNotes. Reprinted from the Tortuga allows one to see in the dark. We were ju- Gazette 32(5) May 1996. row we examined with the camera at an bilant because this was the first confirmed active gopher tortoise colony. sighting of a live tortoise at the recently

Scientific literacy is an intellectual vaccine against the claims of charlatans who would exploit ignorance — Neil deGrasse Tyson (b. 1956) , American astrophysicist

May | June 2017 Tortuga Gazette 6

Classified Advertisements Classified advertisements run for one issue at $500 for four lines or less or $3000 for ¼ page. They are accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Classified ads are available to members and subscribers only. Advertisements are run as a service to our members. Cali- fornia Turtle & Tortoise Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tortuga Gazette. Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300. Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR mail fee to the postal address above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor. FOR SALE: Redfoots, Russians, Marginateds, Hermann’s, Graecas, Elongateds, Forsteniis, Leopards, Reeves and Boxes — all breeding adults. Reeves, Box and Russian hatchlings. Call 805-481-5222. (5)

Updating your Contact information Every CTTC member on this mailing list has a MailChimp account that s/he can update as needed. When you receive your newsletter notification, there is a link at the bottom of the page titled “update your preferences.” Simply click on this link to jump to your account and update your email address and other information. Thank you!

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 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: 11 May; 15 June interesting as I did. This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks. Chino Valley: 19 May; 16 June Marines Displace 1,100 Tortoises Murray River Turtle Restoration To Mitigate Foothill: 26 May; 23 June With the compliance of the wildlife agencies, some Aussie Carpageddon? 1,100 threatened desert tortoises are being forcibly The Australian government is considering releasing High Desert: 8 May; 23 June removed from their habitat as Twentynine Palms large numbers of rare, head-started Murray River Inland Empire: 5 May; 2 June Marine Base expands. turtles and a fish-herpes virus to remove invasive Kern County: 8 May; 12 June Desert Tortoise Natural Area exotic carp from the Murray River. Low Desert: 5 June Story with video on the 25,000 acre Desert Tortoise Two Burmese Roofed Turtle Clutches Found Natural Area north of California City in Kern County. trivittata is a rare turtle and pictures of it Orange County: Contact the chapter for meeting information. Tommy Lost and Found are scarcer than hen’s eggs. This short article has Lost and found tortoise stories are common. But a couple. Ridgecrest: 8 May; 12 June little Tommy’s travels taught me something. Deepwater Horizon Santa Barbara-Ventura: Contact the chapter Who knew the Salvation Army runs an animal Sea turtles and the long-lived effects of the 0102 for meeting information. sanctuary? Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Santa Clarita: 20 May – Dr. Michael Tuma • Tommy Lost Loggerheadlines on “What I Learned About the Evolution of • Tommy Found The latest issue from the South Carolina De- Fighting in Tortoises: A Slideshow of Fossils, Giant Tortoise Evolution and Dispersal partment of Natural Resources Marine Turtle Horns and Big Brawny Males” The evidence that giant tortoises spread to islands Conservation Program. Silicon Valley: 19 May; 16 June without human intervention. Cyborg Turtles TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo): 10 May; 14 June Fossil Giant Softshell From Wyoming One day you will be able to control your turtle’s This brief story has a wonderful photograph of a movement just by thinking about it. (This would TTCS (Long Beach): 19 May; 16 June - Annual reconstructed fossil soft shell turtle with its finders make an unlikely turnaround from Hannibal, my 30 Plant Sale providing scale. year sulcata, controlling me.) Valley: 19 May - no regular meeting; 16 June California Drought and Western Pond Turtles CTTC on Facebook Executive Board: 8 July. Meetings are held at the Scientific paper from Jeff Lovich and his team on For breaking news updates, visit and “like” us on Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA. the impacts of California’s protracted drought on Facebook! the western pond turtles at Elizabeth Lake. Check your Chapter web site for the latest program information. Programs may be scheduled after the Western Painted Turtles newsletter is published. Short radio broadcast and video on western painted turtles from Missouri Department of Conservation.

Valley Chapter Life Members “... the current position of the w Bay Area Amphibian & w Doreen Lynch California Department of Fish and Reptile Society w Adam Maron Wildlife is that it is illegal to breed w Rebecca Anderson w Guy B. McInerny captive [desert] tortoises.” w B. & M. A. Cohen w Diego Munoz-Flores [The Desert Tortoise Council’s Answering Questions e-publication is currently offline in revision.] w Marc & Linda Colen w Cathy Norman w Julius & Marlene Frommer w David A. Ortega “CTTC will not place desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in situations w Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gordon w Jean Phelan where captive breeding may occur. w Dr. Marc Graff w Herbert C. Ruderman CTTC works with California Depart- w Kianusch Kiai w SW Geographic Science ment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to w Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kinder Team place desert tortoises. Both CDFW w Stan & Diane Levine w Amy Beth Worrell, DVM and CTTC discourage the captive w Deborah Levy breeding of desert tortoises.” – tortoise.org/cttc/adoption.html

May | June 2017 Tortuga Gazette 8 Gerald McQuade Tortoise Keeper and Mosaic Artist

When Gerald McQuade, who prefers to be called “Mac,” finished his service in the Unites States Navy, he returned home to Los Angeles, California to become a driller with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. In the course of his work, he traveled all over the county and worked in some of its most pristine areas. This experi- ence gave him a deep appreciation of nature and inspired his work as a mosaic artist. When he retired from his Flood Control District position in 2000, he undertook a home remodeling project. During the process of remodelling his kitchen, he began to see the leftover pieces of tile for their potential as mosaic elements. In his back yard there was an ideal “canvas” for the mosaic that was developing in his mind’s eye: the blank wall of his garage that faced into his back yard. He began the mosaic by using whole tiles and random pieces of tile from his kitchen remodel, but ultimately purchased a tile saw to cut the precise shapes he envisioned for his creation. The rest is history. Two views of his finished mosaic are present on this page.

p A close-up of one section of the mosaic on the wall of the garage. Mac, who is a member of CTTC’s Foothill Chapter, is seated on the wall of a tortoise enclosure he built in front of his mosaic .

q A wide shot of the mosaic and desert tortoise enclosure wall. Big Red, a boxer-Labrador mix, and Xeno the sulcata tor- toise peacefully share the yard. p Xeno the sulcata tortoise. He was found wandering near a homeless encampment adja- cent to Glendora by a friend of Mac. In 2008 the 50-pound tortoise came to live with Mac, who initially thought it was a female, and named “her” Xena, after the Warrior Princess. Later, after de- termining the tortoise’s true gender, he changed the sulcata’s name to Xeno. The same year Mac joined the Foothill Chapter of the California Turtle & Tortoise Club specifically to learn more about properly caring for the sulcata. Xeno’s pyramiding, the dip at the rear of his shell, and the partial paralysis of his hind legs are due to malnutrition earlier in life, according to an acquaintance. Now, at over 100 pounds, Xeno is robust and rules the lawn area of the back yard.

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 9 u The desert tortoises that are currently living in the raised tortoise enclosure, basking on a sunny day. Several of Mac’s original tortoises have found new homes with his fellow CTTC members.

t The indoor enclosure for hatchling and ju- venile desert tortoises. The youngest animals live outside during the day when the weather is warm and sunny, and, at night and in inclem- ent weather, the young tortoises live in their indoor enclosure.

p Xeno in 2008 when he came to live with Mac. Xeno weighed about 50 pounds at that time, and has since doubled in size. The sulcata and Bella, a little terrier mix who gets along well with Xeno, are basking in the yard.

u The protected, raised enclosure housing desert tortoises photo- graphed in 2010. In this photograph, the tortoises are enjoying their meals. Note the reinforcing boulders inside the wall that were put in place to shore up the enclosure wall. When Xeno the sulcata sees the desert tortoises getting their meals, he attempts to knock over the 60-pound blocks that comprise the wall to get at the desert tortoises’ food. Because Xeno can actually move the blocks, it was necessary to fortify the wall to keep Xeno at bay. Ω

May | June 2017 Tortuga Gazette 10 the Turtle’s Tortoise Berry Garden Nylandtia spinosa planting for chelonians by M. A. Cohen earing edible red berries relished medium-sized garden (Tortoise Berry, by tortoises, Nylandtia spinosa is Skilpadbessie, Mmaba). Having a growth B a colorful, exotic shrub native to habit described as stiff and upright with South Africa. While tortoise berry is not numerous arching branches, the shrub yet widely cultivated in the United States, has considerable potential for providing according to the US Department of Agri- color, texture, and structure in water- culture’s Plant Hardiness Zone map, the wise gardens. species is likely to thrive in Southern Cali- While often described as being best fornia and elsewhere in regions where suited for coastal areas, tortoise berry is the coldest seasonal temperatures re- adaptable to a variety of environments, Tortoise berry, Nylandtia spinosa, photographed in bloom in Cape main above or near freezing. temperature ranges, and rainfall pat- Town, South Africa by S Molteno. Public domain. With a genus name that honors the terns. For instance, a specimen of the 17th-century Dutch botanist Pierre Nyl- species grows well in the Huntington Bo- Edibility and Medicinal Uses Containing an abundance of moisture andt, the species name spinosa derives tanical Garden in San Marino, California, and vitamin C, tortoise berries are ed- from a Latin root word meaning “spiny,” located inland some 35 miles northeast ible, nutritious, and thirst-quenching. The and refers to the spiky projections on of the Pacific coastline. common name attests to the fact that the branches of the shrub. The common Clothed in small, narrow leaves that tortoises readily consume the berries in name, tortoise berry, derives from the are deciduous in South Africa (Nylandtia habitat, as do birds and, no doubt, other fondness of local tortoises, as well as local spinosa) and evergreen in North America, wildlife. birds, for the ripe fruits of the shrub. While the branches of N. spinosa are spines- Available in southern Africa, jams and the name N. spinosa is far more common, cent, meaning they terminate in spines jellies incorporating tortoise berry fruit, the literature also utilizes the botanical (Tortoise Berry, Skilpadbessie, Mmaba). as well as dried and processed products name Muraltia spinosa as a synonym for Therefore, the gardener must exercise have economic importance locally (Wyk, N. spinosa. caution during maintenance of the shrub. B. V., 2011). Continuing laboratory research Afrikaans, a West Germanic language Described as resembling miniscule or- into the species’ medicinal properties brought to southern Africa by early chids or miniature sweet peas, tortoise shows promise. Dutch settlers, gives the shrub the name berry flowers appear in profusion in late Chewing fermented leaves of N. spinosa skilpadbessie, a term derived from the winter and spring in an array of colors in small amounts is an antidote to sleep- words skilpad, meaning ‘turtle,’ and bes- ranging from white through pink to ma- lessness, according to native traditional sie, meaning ‘berry.’ Moreover, the term genta and purple. The flowers also attract medicine. Tea brewed from the shrub’s mmaba is the name of the shrub in the pollinators such as bees and butterflies leaves and stems counteracts digestive language of the Tswana, a native people When ripened, the small, fleshy ber- pain and tuberculosis in the traditional- who use the plant medicinally (Nylandtia ries are bright red, and provide a feast for medicine formulary. Combinations of N. spinosa). tortoises and birds. Subsequently, these spinosa and other local plants treat colds, As a member of the Polygalaceae, the animals disperse the seed of N. spinosa in flu and bronchitis Nylandtia( spinosa). milkwort or butterfly bush family, tortoise their droppings, thus contributing to the Indigenous people such as the Tswa- berry belongs to a large plant family with distribution of the plant species through- na utilize the roots of the tortoise berry over 950 members worldwide native to out the ecosystem. medicinally in a compound for treating temperate and tropical climates. While malaria (Nylandtia spinosa). Ω still rare outside South Africa, drought tol- Culture Full sun, excellent drainage, and mod- erance once established, deer resistance, erate irrigation provide the optimal References and edible/medicinal properties are some Nylandtia spinosa. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from conditions for successful cultivation. of the qualities that recommend the in- http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/nylandspin.htm Although pruning is unnecessary, oc- clusion of tortoise berry in many gardens Tortoise Berry, Skilpadbessie, Mmaba. (n.d.). Retrieved Feb- casional light pruning helps maintain in suitable regions worldwide. ruary 28, 2017, from http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/ compact growth. To benefit the overall go/160555/ Identification health of the shrub, improve the soil qual- Wyk, B. V. (2011). The potential of South African plants in the Reaching a height of 24 to 36 inch- ity and provide readily available nutrients development of new food and beverage products. South es (60 to 90 centimeters) with equal by applying a top dressing of compost African Journal of Botany, 77(4), 857-868. doi:10.1016/j. spread, N. spinosa fits well into a small- to each season. sajb.2011.08.003

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 11 12 Iowa Reins in Exploitative Turtle Trapping Foothill Chapter New Regulations Curb Killing, But More Protections Needed Health Clinic Meeting — Center for Biological Diversity press release On Friday, June 23rd the Foothill Des Moines, Iowa—24 March 2017— In — North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebras- chapter will have their health clinic response to advocacy by the Center for ka, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana — have meeting offering deworming & mi- Biological Diversity and other conserva- determined their turtle populations can crochipping and answers to turtle/ tion groups, new regulations restricting only be sustainably managed by banning tortoise health questions under collection and killing of four species of all commercial collection. the direction of Dennis Fees, DVM wild turtles in Iowa went into effect this from the Arcadia Animal Hospi- week. Background More than 2 million wild-caught, live tal. Deworming cost is $10 and The new regulations impose closed turtles are exported from the United microchipping cost is $20 per turtle seasons, daily bag limits and possession States each year to supply food and me- or tortoise. During the meeting there limits for common snapping turtles, paint- dicinal markets in Asia, where native will be a silent auction which will ed turtles, spiny softshells and smooth turtle populations have already been include different gift & restaurant softshells. depleted by soaring consumption. Adult cards, turtle related items, baked “It’s great that Iowa is finally clamping turtles are also taken from the wild to goods, gift baskets, and individual down on exploitation of its turtles,” said breed hatchlings for the international pet donations. Free parking, snacks and Collette Adkins, a senior attorney at the trade. Large adults, females in particular, beverages are available. The meeting Center, which in 2009 sought a ban on are the most valuable and therefore a pri- will be held 7:00 pm at the LA County commercial turtle collecting in Iowa. “The mary target of commercial trappers. Yet Arboretum in Arcadia, California. new regulations are a welcome step, but such trapping can cause population de- a complete ban on commercial trapping clines even in some of the most common is needed to fully protect turtles.” freshwater turtles. Before these new regulations went into As part of a campaign to protect tur- effect, Iowa allowed year-round com- What is an arribada ? tles from overexploitation, the Center mercial collection of four turtle species The noun arribada translates from in 2008 and 2009 petitioned Iowa and without any daily bag or possession lim- the Spanish as ‘arrival’ or ‘arrived.‘ other states with unrestricted commer- its. The new regulations protect the four The meaning of the term has evolved cial turtle collection to improve harvest turtles during their peak mating season to mean a significant mass-nesting regulations. In 2009 Florida responded by prohibiting commercial collection event occurring in several species of by banning almost all commercial collec- from May 15 to July 15. But year-round turtle, including the olive ridley sea tion of freshwater turtles from public and recreational collection of common snap- turtle (Lepdochelys olivacea) and the private waters; in 2012 Georgia approved pers is still allowed. Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys state rules regulating the commercial The state’s new regulations also set kempii). Moreover, the phenomenon collection of turtles; and Alabama com- daily bag limits of four common snapping occurs in South America’s Giant pletely banned commercial collection. In turtles, one spiny or smooth softshell and Amazon River Turtle ( October 2016 the Missouri Department of one . Commercial turtle expansa). Conservation announced — in response harvesters can possess 20 common snap- During such events, which take to a 2016 Center petition — that it will ping turtles, five spiny softshell or smooth place throughout the nesting sea- consider ending unlimited commercial softshell turtles and five painted turtles. son of each species, tens, hundreds, collection of the state’s wild freshwater Collection of wild turtle eggs is prohib- and even thousands of female tur- turtles. ited. tles come ashore simultaneously to In response to a 2011 Center petition, “We’re so glad that states across the nest, each female typically laying 80 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in May country are now restricting turtle slaugh- to 100 eggs. added four turtles — including common ter,” said Adkins. “Turtle trappers in the Scientists theorize that the arriba- snapping turtles, smooth softshell turtles United States are catching and exporting da phenomenon is part of a species and spiny softshell turtles that are found millions of wild freshwater turtles every survival tactic termed “predator in Iowa — to a list called “CITES Appendix year, devastating populations that are al- swamping.” This strategy involves III.” Trade in Appendix III species requires ready suffering from a lot of other threats, the production of many more eggs an export permit and documentation like habitat loss, water pollution and road and hatchlings than predators can that the animal was caught or acquired mortality.” consume, thereby increasing the in compliance with the law, allowing the Just as Iowa finalized its new regu- odds that some hatchlings will suc- United States to closely monitor trade. lations, turtle trappers in Iowa began cessfully emerge from the nest and The animals must also be shipped using pushing a new bill (S.F. 460) that would make their way to the sea, living to methods designed to prevent cruel treat- replace them with revised rules more reach adulthood and producing the ment. Ω favorable to for-profit turtle trappers. next generation of the species. Yet many surrounding Midwest states

Tortuga Gazette Volume 53, Number 3 13 Chicago Herpetological Society: Herpetology 2017 Abstracts of recently published herpetological papers prepared by the editorial staff of the CHS Olive Sonoran Desert Tortoise from sea level to about 6,693 feet (2,040 meters) elevation, from mesic forests Nesting Spatial Ecology to deserts. The San Joaquin Desert in S. Honavar et al. [2016, Herpetologica B. K. Sullivan et al. [2016, Journal of Her- California once supported large popula- 72(4):303-308] note that Playa La Flor in petology 50(4):5089-219] note that the tions of the species in lakes, sloughs, and Nicaragua is one of the few remaining behavioral ecology of Sonoran Desert marshes fed by water from the mountains beaches where olive ridley sea turtles tortoises (Gopherus morafkai) remains of the Sierra Nevada. Because of dam- (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest in arribadas. relatively unstudied. In general Sonoran ming in the mountains and agriculture This study presents data on the status of Desert Tortoises (STDs) differentially use on the desert floor, much of the aquatic the nesting population of L. olivacea on incised washed and rocky slopes and habitat is gone. Although some biologists Playa La Flor from 1998 to 2006. In 2004 avoid open flats and intermountain val- proffered that only non-viable popula- six plots (6 meters x 6 meters [20 feet x 20 leys, except during apparent emigration tions of western pond turtles occurred in feet]) were established on a 400-meter events. Relatively little is known about the San Joaquin Valley south of the delta, (1,312-foot) section of the nesting beach the temporal pattern of space use of STDs the author found a surprisingly robust to measure the levels of illegal egg take, and even less about such use in relation population of this species at Goose Lake, clutch hatching success, and hatchling to sex. The authors observed activity of an ephemeral freshwater lake on the des- production. The total number of turtles adult and juvenile SDTs via radiotelem- ert floor in northwestern Kern County. nesting at Playa La Flor increased from etry, and hatchling activity incidentally, From 1995 to 2006, 737 individuals were 1998 to 2006 where arribadas ranged in over a 3-year period in central Arizona. marked. Growth rates and reproduc- size from 167 to 60,816 turtle encounters. The SDTs were most active in the fall (Au- tion were fairly high compared to other In August 2004, 45% of the clutches laid gust–October) but exhibited a second populations of western pond turtles in during the arribada were taken illegally peak of activity in spring (April). On aver- ponded waters. The average yearly pop- from the study plots, whereas these age, males moved longer distances than ulation estimate was 597.4 turtles with levels were lower during the arribadas did females in every month of the year annual survivorship estimates of 0.81 for occurring from September to Novem- when SDTs were active. Distances moved adult males, 0.73 for adult females, 0.84 ber. In 2004, clutch hatching success by females in the fall were apparent but for juveniles 80–119 millimeters (3–4.7 and hatchling production were higher not statistically significant. Activity of inches) carapace length (CL) and 0.73 for in plots located high on the beach com- adults was detected in virtually every juveniles for juveniles <80 millimeters (3 pared with plots that were closer to or month of the year except January; at least inches) (CL). The estimate of λ [ed. note: below the high-tide line. Clutch hatching one hatchling was observed active in Greek small letter lambda] denoted a sta- success and hatchling production were every month of the year. The authors con- ble population. Although the population higher in the September arribada than clude that adult SDTs home range areas occurs in a habitat controlled by an agri- during other arribadas within the same 1) are consistent in size and placement cultural water district, permanent water year. The lower hatching success and across multiple years and, for females is always available and the site is secure hatchling production of nests laid during especially, may include a “migratory” pat- from poaching. Despite severe decreases the later arribadas might be explained by tern to north slopes following summer in the number of turtles in the San Joaquin increased nest density, and overlapping rains, where they encounter a higher di- Desert over the past 100 years, based on clutches in the study plots could lead versity and abundance of food plants; 2) this study and other recent studies, there to an increase in microbial overload, 02 are highly overlapping in females but less are several populations of western pond demand, and C02 production. If manipu- so in males; and 3) contain a few refuges turtles in the area that appear to be large lating clutches is warranted on Playa La in relatively lower elevation washes that and stable. Ω Flor, managers should target clutches are used consistently, especially during Originally published in the Bulletin of the Chicago Herpeto- that are at the highest risk of drowning, the hot, dry summer (May and June), and logical Society 52(1):12-13, 2017. Reprinted with permission are in areas of high nest density, and are that are selected over many other avail- from the Editor of the Bulletin. deposited during the larger arribadas that able caliche refuges. occur later in the nesting season. The lo- § § § cation of clutches to be moved/removed might change between years, even on Pacific Pond Turtles the same beach. In The Desert [Ed. note: see page 12 for more detail D. J. Germano [2016, Copeia about the arribada phenomenon.] 104(3):663-676] notes that the § § § western pond turtles (Actine- mys marmorata), the only native freshwater turtle in California, Western (Pacific) pond turtle, marmorata. Photo by Chris Brown, US Geo- occurs in a variety of habitats logical Survey. Public domain.

May | June 2017 Tortuga Gazette the Tortuga Gazette CTTC Online: tortoise.org May | June 2017 Follow CTTC on Facebook Volume 53, Number 3

Turtle of the Month Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornata

The California Membership in the California Turtle Membership fees Membership Turtle & Tortoise & Tortoise Club and subscriptions to the CTTC 00 Club is a non-profit Tortuga Gazette are handled through the w Individual/family...$25 501(c)(3) corporation. Contributions are tax CTTC Chapters. The Chapters also man- w Canada/Mexico...$2500 deductible to the full extent of the law. Please age membership renewals. 00 pay by USA funds only (US bank check, mon- Members are free to join any Chapter. w Foreign...$40 ey , or International Postal Order. Your Many members in California choose to join w Life membership...$50000 Chapter and your renewal date (month/year) a nearby Chapter to participate in Chapter are printed on your newsletter notification. meetings and other activities. Print member- The Chapters’ postal mailing addresses are list- Mail your new or renewal membership/sub- ship forms from the CTTC website and mail ed in the following section. Click on the links to scription 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.

Turtle & Tortoise Care Society (Long Beach) Peggy Nichols Mini-Show When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Where: El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach CA 90815 Driving directions From the 605 Southbound: Exit Spring Street. Turn left at first light into Nature Center entrance. From the 605 Northbound: Exit at Willow/Katella. Take Willow Westbound. Turn right on Studebaker Road, turn right on Spring Street. Turn right at Nature Center en- trance. From the 405 Northbound: Exit Palo Verde Avenue, turn right. Turn right on Spring Street. Turn right at Nature Cen- ter entrance. Wild desert box turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola, photographed in habitat near Blue Haven Road, Pata- From the 405 Southbound: Exit Studebaker (North), turn gonia, Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona. Photo © 2011 by Alan Schmierer. Source: Creative Commons; license: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. left. Turn right on Spring Street. Turn right at Nature Center entrance.