Danielle D'Amato

Danielle D'Amato

Jun 12, 2015

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Big Bertha

I typically survey my "nesting beach" 2-3 hours at high tide waiting for females to come onto shore and nest. The nesting beach is the area I found last year with over 180 terrapin egg shells. If I see a female nesting I will wait until she is finished and then follow my permit and take measurements and give her an ID number. Every other nest will receive a nest protection device to keep the predators from eating the eggs.

On May 20th I finally saw my first terrapin, at the nesting beach and she was beautiful! I saw her in the water poking her head up to get air, she has striking white skin with black specks and a beautiful green shell. I sat and I waited for her to come onshore and nest. After about 30 minuets and no sign of her, I decided to walk down to the waters edge and see if I could spot her again.

Turns out she was right there about 4 feet from the waters edge, she saw me before I saw her and she zipped right into the water before she could nest. Or so I thought.... 2 days later right where I saw her a nest was dug up and eaten. I believe that in those 30 minuets she nested. I named her Big Bertha because of her size, to date she is the largest female I have seen. She will forever be, the one that got away :)

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About This Project

There is no previous population study that exists on the Diamondback terrapins of Cumberland Island, Georgia. The main objective of my study is to provide baseline population data that will be used for the continued long term monitoring and management of this species on the Island. Another major objective is to identify the active nesting sites on the Island and make recommendations for protection, if warranted. Finally, I will assess the predators affecting this population.

Blast off!

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