No. Their annual survivorship after a year is no different than at the hatchling stage. The survivorship increases significantly at the sub-adult stage (5-10 years); however, head-starting turtles has seen very little success.
You're quite welcome. It's a good idea and one that is still being considered. There are many problems involved in head-starting (poor husbandry, etc.) and many of the released turtles fail to survive their first year (difficulty hibernating, locating food, etc.). In my oppinion, the best option is to release many hundreds of hatchlings, as opposed to raising a few individuals for many years. Also, by releasing many hatchlings, natural selection is still operating on the entire cohort.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if you were to import a large amount of native species like stinkpots, northern maps, spotteds, and blandings from the US to release? I know the import laws are tough but assuming they were obtainable would it be a good idea?
No. Since we still have these species here, releasing foreign animals into an area where there are current populations is a bad idea. The resulting 'genetic pollution' can be quite detrimental. In addition, the risk of spreading foreign pathogens is very high. Also, although the same species, animals from more southern latitudes may be physiologically different and unable to survive our climate. Repatriation is very rarely a good idea and only if the natural population is extirpated.
watch out I'm gonna catch one!
harminoff1 2 years ago
Wouldn't it be better to raise the blandings for about a year before releasing them to give them a better chance at survival?
Boneyman 3 years ago
No. Their annual survivorship after a year is no different than at the hatchling stage. The survivorship increases significantly at the sub-adult stage (5-10 years); however, head-starting turtles has seen very little success.
RMBolton 3 years ago
Ok thanks
Boneyman 3 years ago
You're quite welcome. It's a good idea and one that is still being considered. There are many problems involved in head-starting (poor husbandry, etc.) and many of the released turtles fail to survive their first year (difficulty hibernating, locating food, etc.). In my oppinion, the best option is to release many hundreds of hatchlings, as opposed to raising a few individuals for many years. Also, by releasing many hatchlings, natural selection is still operating on the entire cohort.
RMBolton 3 years ago
Wouldn't it be a good idea if you were to import a large amount of native species like stinkpots, northern maps, spotteds, and blandings from the US to release? I know the import laws are tough but assuming they were obtainable would it be a good idea?
Boneyman 3 years ago
No. Since we still have these species here, releasing foreign animals into an area where there are current populations is a bad idea. The resulting 'genetic pollution' can be quite detrimental. In addition, the risk of spreading foreign pathogens is very high. Also, although the same species, animals from more southern latitudes may be physiologically different and unable to survive our climate. Repatriation is very rarely a good idea and only if the natural population is extirpated.
RMBolton 3 years ago
Very cool! Lets hope they thrive. thanks for posting.
gspd750 4 years ago
Ryan, what do you shoot your videos with?
Kudos!
- Al!
ALAPINO 4 years ago
Thanks. I just use the video feature on a Canon S3IS - nothing special...
RMBolton 4 years ago
Ahh, okay. Explains the gearing sounds when you zoom in and out.
Cool...
Your vids are great!
- AL!
ALAPINO 4 years ago