Endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting, Missing Rear Flippers
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Uploaded by loggerheadmc on Jun 7, 2011
Clover has a very unfortunate history. She has been nesting in northern Palm Beach County since 2003. When we first found Clover, she was missing a rear flipper from what appeared to be a shark attack. She had a moderate level of difficulty nesting. When Clover returned in 2005, she was missing a portion of her other rear flipper. Finally, in 2007, Clover returned with no rear flippers. All of these injuries appear to be due to shark bites. She had scars on her front flippers that resemble shark jaws as well.
Sea turtles use their rear flippers to dig the chamber in which they place their eggs. They don't understand when their flippers are missing so Clover emerges and goes through the normal nesting behaviors. When it comes time to drop her eggs, they end up on the surface of the sand behind and underneath her. Without assistance, Clover crushes her eggs in an attempt to camouflage her nest.
When Loggerhead Marinelife Center biologists find Clover, they dig her egg chamber for her by sneaking up behind her as she is "digging" and removing the sand that she thinks she is removing. This video marks the 6th time Clover has nested in the area in 2011
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Can she be fitted with prosthetic flippers?
slab99 8 months ago
Nice work by the Marine Life Center, a truly dedicated group..
Clover's story is compelling as is the "assistance the LMC
seahawkmjk 9 months ago