My new Tank!

[Jimnorris]

a2

[::pete::]

What is the growth rate?

[avierm]

How would you obtain these guys if they're all endangered? According to SCA (Student Conservation Association, this has been a really slow nesting season for sea turles all around the nation this year, especially along the Carolina coast...

[Jimnorris]

Endangered yes but one can obtain sea turtle permit. I am looking into a ranching program. Where I can grow and release them back into the wild.
Jim

[MikeDeL]

Man that is so awsome. Sea turtles are so cool. I wish I could keep a sea turtle or two. I would be the invy of the neighborhood, thats for sure.


Mike

[Kando]

Please go to Texas Parks & Wildlife, etc for permits. Or call Texas Marine Science Institute in Port A for info. It'll save you big bucks in fines.

[GaryP]

I worked for a biologist at Texas A&M that kept Kemp's Ridley Turtles in his lab at college station. He was a turtle guy. Since they are endangered he had to have a permit from TP&W and US Fish & Wildlife. I believe US Fish & Wildlife is actually the regulatory agency that is responsible here.

As a side note, we went to the beach this last weekend and noticed the "turtle patrols" cruising up and down the beach on 4-wheelers. Its nesting season. Kemps Ridley are the common turtles along the Texas coast and were almost wiped out in the late 1800 and early 1900's. There was actually a turtle cannery near Port Lavaca at one time.

I know there is at least one lady that has a permit to raise baby Kemps Ridley turtles. I think the Fish and Wildlife folks do as well at their lab in Galveston. The idea is to raise them to an age where they have a greater chance of survival before releasing them to the wild. The mortality rate of baby turtles is over 90%.

Gary

[GaryP]

Here's a factoid for you. Male sea turtles never come ashore after they are born. They mate with the females just off the beach and the females come in to lay the eggs.

Gary

[Tim Marvin]

Kando, Jim lives in south carolina.....