Sea Turtle Husbandry
421
slow growth, and feeding and behavioral problems. In the U.S., both federal and
state laws may prevent the public display, release, or euthanization of congenitally
deformed turtles. When hatchlings are selected, three criteria need to be addressed:
physical deformities, weight and size, and activity.
16.5.1 PHYSICAL DEFORMITIES
Each hatchling should be carefully inspected for eye deformity (blindness, lesions),
cross-beak, curvature of the spine, and carapace deformities or abnormalities (extra
or missing scutes). Hatchlings with visual physical deformities should be avoided.
Spinal curvature may be very subtle in hatchlings but can develop into crippling
deformities in older turtles.
16.5.2 WEIGHT AND SIZE
Hatchlings that are light in weight or excessively heavy may have genetic abnormalities and should be avoided. Small, underweight hatchlings are an indication of
poor development or dehydration.
16.5.3 ACTIVITY
Hatchlings that are selected should be active and exhibit vigorous climbing and
crawling activity. Lethargic hatchlings should be avoided.
16.5.4 QUARANTINE
Hatchlings are quarantined for 60 days when they arrive at the NMFS STF. The new
hatchlings are housed in a raceway separate from the other turtles and care is taken
to prevent any cross contamination between raceways. When space permits, each
clutch of hatchlings is maintained together to monitor variations in survival and
growth. Staff members wear latex surgical gloves when handling hatchlings for the
first 30 days. Captive-rearing staff members are required to wash their hands before
handling turtle feed and any measuring equipment is cold sterilized before and after
use on new hatchlings. After 60 days, hatchlings can be combined in raceways. The
NMFS STF also maintains a full quarantine facility for chronically and terminally
ill sea turtles. A minimum quarantine period of 90 days is required before a rehabilitated turtle is placed in the captive-rearing facility. The introduction of a rehabilitating
turtle into a raceway containing healthy captive reared stock is not recommended.
16.6 DIET, FEEDING, AND GROWTH
16.6.1 DIET
Sea turtles are opportunistic omnivores, consuming whatever is available. Wild
turtles have a highly varied diet that changes with life stage (Bjorndal, 1997).
Hatchlings and pelagic turtles typically consume what is available at the surface,
whereas older, larger benthic turtles consume food thoughout the water column with
1123_C16 Page 421 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM
421
slow growth, and feeding and behavioral problems. In the U.S., both federal and
state laws may prevent the public display, release, or euthanization of congenitally
deformed turtles. When hatchlings are selected, three criteria need to be addressed:
physical deformities, weight and size, and activity.
16.5.1 PHYSICAL DEFORMITIES
Each hatchling should be carefully inspected for eye deformity (blindness, lesions),
cross-beak, curvature of the spine, and carapace deformities or abnormalities (extra
or missing scutes). Hatchlings with visual physical deformities should be avoided.
Spinal curvature may be very subtle in hatchlings but can develop into crippling
deformities in older turtles.
16.5.2 WEIGHT AND SIZE
Hatchlings that are light in weight or excessively heavy may have genetic abnormalities and should be avoided. Small, underweight hatchlings are an indication of
poor development or dehydration.
16.5.3 ACTIVITY
Hatchlings that are selected should be active and exhibit vigorous climbing and
crawling activity. Lethargic hatchlings should be avoided.
16.5.4 QUARANTINE
Hatchlings are quarantined for 60 days when they arrive at the NMFS STF. The new
hatchlings are housed in a raceway separate from the other turtles and care is taken
to prevent any cross contamination between raceways. When space permits, each
clutch of hatchlings is maintained together to monitor variations in survival and
growth. Staff members wear latex surgical gloves when handling hatchlings for the
first 30 days. Captive-rearing staff members are required to wash their hands before
handling turtle feed and any measuring equipment is cold sterilized before and after
use on new hatchlings. After 60 days, hatchlings can be combined in raceways. The
NMFS STF also maintains a full quarantine facility for chronically and terminally
ill sea turtles. A minimum quarantine period of 90 days is required before a rehabilitated turtle is placed in the captive-rearing facility. The introduction of a rehabilitating
turtle into a raceway containing healthy captive reared stock is not recommended.
16.6 DIET, FEEDING, AND GROWTH
16.6.1 DIET
Sea turtles are opportunistic omnivores, consuming whatever is available. Wild
turtles have a highly varied diet that changes with life stage (Bjorndal, 1997).
Hatchlings and pelagic turtles typically consume what is available at the surface,
whereas older, larger benthic turtles consume food thoughout the water column with
1123_C16 Page 421 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM