Sea Turtle Husbandry
419
loss and eventual bone erosion and degeneration. Histology results on carapace
samples showed no infectious agents. Similar lesions have been reported on
captive-reared loggerheads with bacterial and fungal organisms present (Neiffer
et al., 1998; Leong et al., 1989).
16.4.2 SALINITY
Salinity at the NMFS STF is maintained between 14 and 32 ppt. Normal natural
salinity of NMFS STF incoming water is 26–30 ppt. When salinity exceeds 34 ppt,
freshwater is added to the water storage tanks to dilute hyper-saline water. Optimal
salinity for maintaining healthy captive sea turtles is 20–35 ppt (FWC, 2002). Sea
turtles may be temporarily maintained at salinities outside the normal range for
therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a veterinarian. Low salinity may be helpful for
FIGURE 16.2 Graphical comparison of average water temperature, salinity, and pH readings
over a 4-year period (1998–2001) in the NMFS STF. Water temperature remains at a constant
27–29∞C despite wide-ranging ambient outside air temperature (Data from NOAA, National
Climatic Data Center Archives). pH fluctuates with biomass in rearing tanks, whereas salinity
remains in the range of 26–34 ppt. Typically, the biomass peaks in the NMFS STF in early
May when more than half of the loggerheads are shipped to Florida for research. Note the
steady decline in pH from January through May, followed by a rapid increase in pH midMay, which correlates to the departure of the large turtles. pH peaks in September just prior
to the arrival of loggerhead hatchlings.
30.2
28.3
28.3
30.7 31.3 33.9
29.8
28.5 28.7
32.8
26.3
28.6
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JULY
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
MONTH
TEMPERATURE (°C)
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
45.00
pH
7.40
7.50
7.60
7.70
7.80
7.90
8.00
Mean Temp. Houston, TX
Avg. Temp. NMFS STF 1998–2001
Avg. pH NMFS STF 1998–2001
Avg. Salinity (ppt) NMFS STF 1998–2001
1123_C16 Page 419 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM
419
loss and eventual bone erosion and degeneration. Histology results on carapace
samples showed no infectious agents. Similar lesions have been reported on
captive-reared loggerheads with bacterial and fungal organisms present (Neiffer
et al., 1998; Leong et al., 1989).
16.4.2 SALINITY
Salinity at the NMFS STF is maintained between 14 and 32 ppt. Normal natural
salinity of NMFS STF incoming water is 26–30 ppt. When salinity exceeds 34 ppt,
freshwater is added to the water storage tanks to dilute hyper-saline water. Optimal
salinity for maintaining healthy captive sea turtles is 20–35 ppt (FWC, 2002). Sea
turtles may be temporarily maintained at salinities outside the normal range for
therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a veterinarian. Low salinity may be helpful for
FIGURE 16.2 Graphical comparison of average water temperature, salinity, and pH readings
over a 4-year period (1998–2001) in the NMFS STF. Water temperature remains at a constant
27–29∞C despite wide-ranging ambient outside air temperature (Data from NOAA, National
Climatic Data Center Archives). pH fluctuates with biomass in rearing tanks, whereas salinity
remains in the range of 26–34 ppt. Typically, the biomass peaks in the NMFS STF in early
May when more than half of the loggerheads are shipped to Florida for research. Note the
steady decline in pH from January through May, followed by a rapid increase in pH midMay, which correlates to the departure of the large turtles. pH peaks in September just prior
to the arrival of loggerhead hatchlings.
30.2
28.3
28.3
30.7 31.3 33.9
29.8
28.5 28.7
32.8
26.3
28.6
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JULY
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
MONTH
TEMPERATURE (°C)
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
45.00
pH
7.40
7.50
7.60
7.70
7.80
7.90
8.00
Mean Temp. Houston, TX
Avg. Temp. NMFS STF 1998–2001
Avg. pH NMFS STF 1998–2001
Avg. Salinity (ppt) NMFS STF 1998–2001
1123_C16 Page 419 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM