How To Release a Hooked Turtle Estimates for the Missisquoi Bay population range from Vermont’s n odd 120 to 200. No population has ever been documented Bait on a fi shhook may look like a tasty meal to a turtle Alooking on the New York side of Lake Champlain and no but this can lead to accidental hooking. Sometimes an turtle to other populations are currently known to exist in New unlucky cast will snag a turtle’s shell or leg. Spiny Softshell be sure, England or Quebec. the spiny Here’s how to remove hooks and prevent unnecessary Given the rare nature of this unique turtle and the softshell death to the unfortunate animal. limited habitat, it is important to avoid the loss or Turtle is easily degradation of suitable habitat. If we respect the needs Grasp the carapace (upper shell) near the tail with your distinguished of these threatened turtles, we can hopefully enjoy this thumbs up. Don’t hold by the tail. from other DIANE PENCE unique species for generations to come. This can injure a turtle. Hold the turtles found turtle with its head down and in Vermont by their very pointed snout and their leathery belly towards you, well away shell. But these are not the only things that make this from your body. shy turtle unique. Venise-en-Quebec Or, support the turtle with one Spiny softshells depend on beaches for their hand underneath the lower shell survival. They need undisturbed sand or gravel (plastron) and hold the base of beaches to lay their eggs. Even basking, which Missisquoi Bay Canada the tail with the other hand for aids digestion and egg maturation prior to laying, control. is important for softshell population health. United States Cover the turtle with a heavy cloth, Unfortunately, suitable habitat on Lake Champlain East Alburg shirt, jacket or bag to calm it down. has been negatively impacted by development. Today, this species is found in and near the lower Find a strong stick or rod and PYNE LAWRENCE Lamoille River and around Missisquoi Bay, including let the turtle bite it. Gently, Swanton but fi rmly hold the parts of Quebec. Yet, historic records indicate the turtle’s head in its shell spiny softshell were more common in the past. with the stick. The The softshell arrived in Lake Champlain at the turtle will not be able end of the glacial era, approximately 10,000 years to push its head out or ago. In 1853, Vermont’s famous naturalist, Zaddock drop the stick. This will Their Future is Thompson, reported spiny softshells in the lake. By keep the head still and the 1936 researchers considered them to be very rare St. Albans Bay mouth open but occupied. in Our Hands in Lake Champlain, and speculated that occasional North Hero With a pair of pliers, or if necessary, by hand, gently hooking mortality, predation and pollution of the remove the hook the same way it went in. If the hook Winooski River could be reasons for their scarcity. is all the way through the fl esh, cut the barb to make Habitat loss likely played a role too, and the Winooski removing the hook easier. If you cannot remove the River no longer supports a population. hook, cut the fi shing line close to the hook. In 1987, the spiny softshell was state-listed as Spiny Softshell Turtle Once the hook is removed, release the turtle threatened in Vermont. In 1991, spiny softshells Distribution in immediately. Be very careful and stay alert. Don’t VERMONT were nationally listed as threatened in Canada and Lake Champlain FISH AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT offi cially listed as threatened in Quebec in 1999. underestimate the strength of an animal in fear! Lake Champlain www.vtfishandwildlife.com Today, we estimate that spiny softshell turtles (802) 241-3700 number over 200 in Lake Champlain and consist of South Hero Lamoille River two main groups or populations. The lower Lamoille AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES River population is estimated to be 60 individuals. FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 10M - 9/07 www.vtfishandwildlife.com / 802.241.3700 103 South Main Street, 10 South • Waterbury, Vermont 05671-0501 Softshell Turtle Truths Threats What You Can Do This turtle was named spiny softshell because the Hatchlings come out of the nest, or emerge, between Direct loss of nesting, Do not disturb turtles on their nesting and basking front edge of the carapace (upper shell) behind the late August and October. Timing of emergence is critical basking and winter sites. Stay at least 300 feet away and honor warning signs turtle’s head is studded with knobby because spiny softshell turtles hibernate under water. hibernation sites through when posted. Use binoculars to get a great view. projections called tubercles. changes to shoreline and Hatchlings must reach water before the ground freezes to Boaters and anglers should maintain a respectful The carapace development. avoid certain death. distance from nesting and basking sites to avoid accidental is fl attened and Dams on rivers. They hooking or injury from boat propellers. covered with soft Spiny softshells in Lake Champlain alter the shape of the leathery skin hibernate for almost six months, generally Remove garbage from beaches to avoid attracting river, act as barriers to from November to April. They tend to use skunks and raccoons to nesting sites throughout the instead of G R E movement and migration, G the same overwintering sites every year. ELIZABETH THOMPSON ELIZABETH bony plates. V summer. A N and change water fl ow These sites are called hibernacula. B Small sharp I E T and levels. Changing Keep livestock and house pets away from nesting sites E projections N Spiny softshell turtles like habitat that water levels can cause nest during the summer. roughen has some aquatic vegetation and a soft fl ooding and egg mortality. Learn how to properly release a hooked turtle to the carapace Basking is critical for digesting bottom for feeding. The Missisquoi River Delta reduce stress and injury to both parties. If you hook a surface, making food and developing eggs. People disturbing it feel like Spiny softshells come out of the water the turtles when they are provides habitat for softshells. turtle while fi shing or when it is on land, put it back in the sandpaper. in sheltered places and bask in the sun for nesting or basking, causing water and contact Fish & Wildlife at 802-241-3700. hours at a time. Fallen trees with underwater this shy species to abandon Females spiny Get involved. Observe and report turtle sightings and limbs, mudfl ats, sandbars, rock causeways, and their activity and retreat to softshells are much larger than nesting activities in your area. fl oating platforms offer good basking sites. the safety of water. males. Females can reach a shell length of Support spiny softshell conservation programs. Adult female spiny softshells travel long distances, up to 21 inches and weigh as much as 25 pounds. Males Aquatic activities, such Purchase a Conservation License Plate. Donate any especially in early May and late August. This is when they reach a maximum carapace length of about eight inches. as boating and fi shing, amount to the Nongame Wildlife Fund on your Vermont move between their nesting and summer areas and their during the nesting period Spiny softshell turtles eat crayfi sh, aquatic insects, income tax form, on hunting and fi shing license overwintering sites. may delay or discourage earthworms, tadpoles, frogs, and minnows. applications or by direct donation (see below). Spiny shoftshells may live more than 50 years. nesting or physically Female spiny softshells are sexually mature at about damage animals. Anglers Spiny softshell recovery efforts in Vermont are funded may mistakenly hook twelve years old. Their shell length at maturity will be by tax-deductible contributions to the Nongame Wildlife seven to eight inches. Males shell length at maturity will turtles while fi shing. Boat EVERETTMARSHALL Fund. Direct gifts are accepted, payable to: be about half that size. Softshell turtles in Vermont and traffi c causes a risk of boat Nongame Wildlife Fund Quebec may take longer to mature because their growth propellers injuring turtles. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. may be slower at our northern location. Raccoons and 103 S. Main St., 10 South Mating typically takes place in April and May. skunks love turtle eggs Spiny softshell turtles will Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 Females dig nests in open areas along the shore of the and hatchlings and these nest on gravel beaches. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Nongame and lake or river in June. A female will lay about 20 eggs, predators tend to fi nd them Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) manages and enhances which she buries in the sand or gravel. Good sun easily. Waste food left behind by picnickers in areas Vermont’s native plants, natural communities, and animals exposure is a must, because soil temperature determines where turtles nest can attract predators and increase the that are not hunted of fi shed. Our mission includes how long the eggs take to develop and hatch. risk of predation. Uncontrolled dogs can also be a threat preserving Vermont’s rich and varied natural heritage for to softshell turtles. present and future generations..