On a recent steamy summer morning, Summit Metro Parks biologists marked a major milestone in their efforts to help rebuild spotted turtle populations. In a first for the park district, two female spotted turtles graduated from the indoor environment they’ve known since hatching to an outdoor enclosure designed to prepare them for life in their natural habitat. The big moment was broadcast live on Facebook and can be viewed here.
It’s a move that’s been in the making for years. As a member of the Save and Protect Ohio’s Turtle Diversity (SPOTD) committee, Summit Metro Parks participates in a program that raises hatchlings until they’ve grown large enough to make the transition to the wild, which typically takes about four years. Spotted turtles are listed as a threatened species in Ohio due to human development of their wetland habitats, so the park district is committed to efforts that help these little reptiles rebuild their numbers.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The two turtles will spend the next month or so in their “playpen” as they learn to fend for themselves while still being protected from predators such as raccoons. During this period, they will be closely watched by park biologists via a video camera installed in their enclosure — and we will share some of this footage to update you on their progress! When they are ready, the turtles will be released into a protected conservation area and Summit Metro Parks staff will continue to monitor them using radio transponders attached to their shells. Remember to keep wildlife wild: if you see a spotted turtle, the best thing to do is leave it alone.
ON THE SPOT FACTS:
- Female spotted turtles can live for up to 100 years!
- The spots on their shell form a unique pattern, like fingerprints.
- Spotted turtles are omnivorous, but younger ones such as these prefer to feast on insects and tadpoles.