Second chance
Softshell turtles harvested from mother hatch at CROW on Sanibel
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife recently announced the arrival of new hatchlings.
On July 7, CROW reported that over a dozen of the Florida softshell turtle eggs that it has been incubating hatched. A total of 18 eggs hatched on July 3 — with about 50 more eggs still incubating, including more softshell turtle eggs plus diamondback terrapin eggs, according to CROW’s staff.
“Sometimes freshwater turtles, like softshells, admitted to our hospital are stuck by a vehicle when crossing the road to find a suitable place to lay their eggs,” CROW reported. “Through our exam process, we can often see if the turtle is gravid (carrying eggs) on radiographs. In the event the mother to be does not survive her injuries, we are able to remove and incubate the eggs until they hatch.”
According to staff, the softshell eggs were harvested from multiple females after they died from injuries. One was admitted on April 20 from Cape Coral after swallowing a fishing hook. Two were admitted after being hit by a vehicle — April 28 in North Fort Myers, and May 7 in Fort Myers.
Staff noted that the eggs have a hatch window of approximately 80 days.
As for the diamondback terrapin eggs, the mother turtled was admitted to CROW on May 28 after being struck by a vehicle in St. James City on Pine Island. A total of six eggs were harvested.
“Turtles, like most reptile species, don’t receive parental care and are on their own from the time they hatch,” CROW reported. “Once flooded areas from Tropical Storm Elsa recede, these babies will be released to ponds and other water bodies near where the mother was hit.”
As of July 8, 14 of the recently-hatched softshell turtles had been released. According to staff, they were waiting on the yolk sac on the remaining ones to be fully absorbed before being released.
CROW’s wildlife hospital, which is located at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you find an animal in distress, please call 239-472-3644, extension 222.
To make a donation to CROW, visit www.CROW Clinic.org/donate/donate-today.