432
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
of the scute, causing lesions and infection. Barnacle larvae can settle and lift scutes
in as little as 10 days. Barnacles are removed from sea turtles with a stiff brush or
plastic scraper as soon as they become visible to the naked eye. Lesions are treated
topically with chlorhexidine (chlorhexidine gluconate 2%). Oyster larvae will settle
on captive sea turtles, but without the same damaging effects as barnacles. Turtles
that are maintained in shallow water and confined spaces in full sunlight will rapidly
grow a thick coat of algae on all dorsal surfaces. Turtles should be given deep enough
water and ample space to move about to minimize algae buildup. Algae are scrubbed
from the turtles every 30 days during conditioning and just prior to release.
16.11.1.3 Feeding
Turtles are allowed to forage naturally in the pens, and they are offered thawed,
frozen squid at a rate of 5–10% average body weight/day. Fish that are naturally
FIGURE 16.5 Panama City, FL, pen-holding facilities. Many other sea turtle rearing facilities
use pens or fenced off areas for at least part of the rearing period.
PEN 3
223 m2
64 m PERIMETER
PEN 2
111 m2
43 m PER.
PEN 4
133 m2
47 m PER.
PEN 1
186 m2
22 m PER.
PEN 5
166 m2
54 m PER.
PEN 6
130 m2
56 m PER IME TER
PEN 7
133 m2
60 m PERIMETER
PEN
8 111
m2 52
m
PERIM
ETER
PE
N
9 92
m2 44.
5
m
PE
RIM
ETE
R
2” x 8” (5 cm x 20 cm)
TREATED DECK (2.5 cm SPACING)
1.5” ID/2” OD
(3.8 cm ID/5 cm OD)
METAL PIPE TOP RAIL
PLASTIC CABLE
TIES SECURE MESH
TO FRAMEWORK
MESH SKIRT BURIED IN SAND
4.5–5.3 m
ROCK HOLDING
SKIRT TO BOTTOM
VINYL COATED
WIRE MESH SKIRT
1” X 2” (2.5 cm x 5 cm)
6”–8” (15–20 cm)
DIA. TREATED
WOOD PILING
SUBMERGED
120 cm IN
SAND BOTTOM
DURETHENE
®
2.5” (6 cm)
PLASTIC
MESH
1/2” x 13” BOLTS
(12 mm x 33 cm)
WATERLINE
GALVANIZED LAG
BOLTS 1/2” x 5”
(12 mm x 13 cm) 2” x 8” (5 cm x 20 cm)
TREATED LUMBER
1123_C16 Page 432 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
of the scute, causing lesions and infection. Barnacle larvae can settle and lift scutes
in as little as 10 days. Barnacles are removed from sea turtles with a stiff brush or
plastic scraper as soon as they become visible to the naked eye. Lesions are treated
topically with chlorhexidine (chlorhexidine gluconate 2%). Oyster larvae will settle
on captive sea turtles, but without the same damaging effects as barnacles. Turtles
that are maintained in shallow water and confined spaces in full sunlight will rapidly
grow a thick coat of algae on all dorsal surfaces. Turtles should be given deep enough
water and ample space to move about to minimize algae buildup. Algae are scrubbed
from the turtles every 30 days during conditioning and just prior to release.
16.11.1.3 Feeding
Turtles are allowed to forage naturally in the pens, and they are offered thawed,
frozen squid at a rate of 5–10% average body weight/day. Fish that are naturally
FIGURE 16.5 Panama City, FL, pen-holding facilities. Many other sea turtle rearing facilities
use pens or fenced off areas for at least part of the rearing period.
PEN 3
223 m2
64 m PERIMETER
PEN 2
111 m2
43 m PER.
PEN 4
133 m2
47 m PER.
PEN 1
186 m2
22 m PER.
PEN 5
166 m2
54 m PER.
PEN 6
130 m2
56 m PER IME TER
PEN 7
133 m2
60 m PERIMETER
PEN
8 111
m2 52
m
PERIM
ETER
PE
N
9 92
m2 44.
5
m
PE
RIM
ETE
R
2” x 8” (5 cm x 20 cm)
TREATED DECK (2.5 cm SPACING)
1.5” ID/2” OD
(3.8 cm ID/5 cm OD)
METAL PIPE TOP RAIL
PLASTIC CABLE
TIES SECURE MESH
TO FRAMEWORK
MESH SKIRT BURIED IN SAND
4.5–5.3 m
ROCK HOLDING
SKIRT TO BOTTOM
VINYL COATED
WIRE MESH SKIRT
1” X 2” (2.5 cm x 5 cm)
6”–8” (15–20 cm)
DIA. TREATED
WOOD PILING
SUBMERGED
120 cm IN
SAND BOTTOM
DURETHENE
®
2.5” (6 cm)
PLASTIC
MESH
1/2” x 13” BOLTS
(12 mm x 33 cm)
WATERLINE
GALVANIZED LAG
BOLTS 1/2” x 5”
(12 mm x 13 cm) 2” x 8” (5 cm x 20 cm)
TREATED LUMBER
1123_C16 Page 432 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM