October 08, 1992 - The Ins and Outs of a Turtle's LifeSpp:' t9d .IoO • ?aMiT Alotbi2 �;rtT • A8*
October 8, 1992 • The Suffolk Times • 9A
The Ins and Outs of a Turtle's Life
By Paul Stoutenburah
Just when everyone has gotten used to
no more baby birds falling out of their
nests and most of us are enjoying the
fall migration, a friend stopped by with
her son, Robert, who had an exciting
new baby find. This time it was not a
helpless baby bird but rather a perfect
baby turtle just out of its shell. It was no
longer than a quarter. It was a baby di-
Focus on
Mature
amond -back terrapin.
Diamond -backs lay their eggs when
the sun is warm enough in the spring to
incubate them and usually fairly close to
water. Should the summer sun not be
warm enough to incubate the eggs, they
will lay over through the winter and
hatch out the following year. Nature's a
patient mother.
We see these handsome turtles
throughout the summer in most of our
creeks and bays. Usually we only get a
quick glance at the head protruding out
of the water and when we realize what it
is and start to concentrate on it, it drops
below the surface not to be seen again.
Like all turtles they are cold - blooded
creatures and take every opportunity to
bask in the sun.
Often when we go out to the boat one
or two, or as many as can climb up on
the half - submerged mooring, will be
there sunning themselves. Then, as we
approach, one by one they slide off into
the water. There's always that last one
who hangs on as long as possible in
hopes it won't have to plunge into the
cold water below. I know that hesitation
myself and can appreciate the feeling
the turtle goes through just before jump-
ing in.
Better Chances as Adults
As adults, turtles have few natural
predators for they can withdraw into
their rugged shells and wait out any
danger. Before they are born their eggs
are fair game for raccoons, foxes and
other animals whose noses are keen
I qAIMBLI'S
0 F C 0 H C H A U G
l
NURSERY
MOW by Haul btoutenburgn
DIAMOND -BACK TERRAPIN —This newly hatched baby turtle, no larger
than a quarter, will soon be burying itself in the soft mud of the creek or bay
where it will sleep over the winter.
enough to detect a clutch of eggs hidden
under the sand. Often when we are
checking on terns and plovers in the
spring we find these turtle nests dug up
with empty shells scattered around, the
result of some predator. The shell is not
hard and brittle like a chicken's egg but
more flexible and leathery.
Once the tiny turtle is freed from its
shell, it heads for safety in the water
nearby and it's during this time that they
become fair game for gulls and crows.
Should it survive these traumatic natural
events, it then spends most of its life
working the creek and bay bottoms
where it's an opportunist feeder. It only
rises momentarily for air and then heads
down to forage for periwinkles, small
crabs, sea lettuce and almost any other
food small enough to eat.
I've often mentioned that once
hooked on the natural world there's no
end to new and exciting events that will
cross your way. Young people are ex-
ceptionally good subjects for this phi-
losophy because their sharp eyes and
ever - inquiring attitude make them true
junior explorers. Just last week we had a
dedication of a pair of teak benches in
memory of my wife's mother and dad.
Part of the day's activities was a visit to
their graves in the nearby cemetery. As
often happens someone doesn't quite
get the complete story and so my grand-
son walked up to the cemetery in hopes
of finding his mother there. As things
turned out his mother hadn't left as yet
so we drove ahead to meet Robby. As
we drove up the road we met him com-
ing back holding up in front of him a
prize find.
Gravestone - Colored Toad
He had found the grave all right and
as he looked it over he spotted a gray
tree toad sitting on top of it. This was
his treasure. Tree toads are often heard
at night singing along with the katydids
and other night creatures but it is sel-
dom we have an opportunity to see them
close at hand. This one was clinging to
Robby's hand with its special suction -
cup toes. These are something to see. At
the end of each finger or toe are these
small, round discs that form a secure
PUT COLOR
IN YOUR
GARDEN
THIS FALL
Black Pansies, Chrysanthemums, Montauk Daisies,
Asters, Chrysanthemum Pacificum, Alpines and
many more perennials.
Visit our sale yard to browse through our selection of shrubs.
MAIN ROAD • CUTCHOGUE We are totally devoted to organic
+ gardening practices, and good
734-6494 � � � old fashioned service.
Closed Tuesday
grip on whatever the toad lands on. No
wonder they can cling to the top of a
swaying tree and be secure.
The color of tree toads is changeable
so if they should land on a leaf they will
slowly change to green. If they are on
the bark of a tree they will turn the color
of the bark. When Robby found this par-
ticular one it had turned the color of the
gray granite of the gravestone. These
toads, like most others, live in the up-
land away from water and only visit the
pond in the spring when all toads mi-
grate there to mate and lay their eggs.
Once the eggs are laid they return to
their shrubs and trees and await a pass-
ing insect, which they are so ably
adapted to catch with their long recoil-
ing tongue. Just a comment on the tree
toad's coloring. -Its underside "armpits"
are a vivid yellow, which, when ob-
served from above, is completely hid-
den.
As the cooler weather approaches,
both the turtles and the toads being cold
blooded will instinctively find a place to
spend the winter months in hibernation.
The turtles will lay deep in the mud of
our creeks, their heartbeat barely no-
ticeable. The ice will form above but
they will be content until spring when
the water warms up and they will again
start their lives anew.
Our toads will find some soft humus
in the woodland floor and in this they
will bury themselves and sleep away the
winter just as the turtle does. Also like
the turtle, when the warm weather
comes, they will dig out to the warmth
of spring.
And so, fall is starting to show its
many signs to those who know it. No
just by the coolness and bright- colored
leaves but by the many more subtle and
more interesting ways Nature has of
showing us the passing of a season.
Composting Facility
Is Recycling Topic
Southampton Town Supervisor Fred
Thiele and Howard Harwell, chairman
of Southampton TaxPAC's Solid Waste
Management Committee, will be the
guests on The Recycling Show
Tuesday, Oct. 13. They will discuss
Southampton's plan for a recycling and
composting facility at North Sea.
The Recycling Show is seen every
Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. on Channel 25
in Riverhead, Southampton, Southold
and Shelter Island towns.
MATTITUCK
SANITATION
EAST END ECOLOGY LTD.
800 WICKHAM AVE.
MATTITUCK, N.Y.
John DiVello & Sons
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
GARBOLOGISTS
Container Service 1 yd. through 8 yd.
Roll-Off Service 15 yd. through 30 yd.
298 -8888
Serving Riverhead &
Southold Township