Diamondback Terrapin Hatchling

from $25.00

Diamondback Terrapin Hatchling. Photo taken on August 28, 2021 in Wellfleet, MA.

THE STORY

Diamondback Terrapins are a threatened species due to anthropogenic activity, habitat loss, and urbanization. Efforts to protect the Terrapins are important: not only are we a major cause of their population decline, but they are also a predator of snails that feed on marsh grass. Without the turtles to maintain the snails, the grass, which provides a habitat for multitudes of other species, would disappear. Diamondback Terrapins help to balance their habitat ecosystem.

While not sea turtles, Diamondback Terrapins are the only brackish water turtle born to New England coastal waters. These terrapins are estuary animals. They live in the saltmarsh and tidal coastal habitats. Every June to July, dinner plate-sized Mama turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in patches of sand just above the high tide line. Volunteers and Researchers of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s Citizen Science Terrapin Conservation Project go out every day to find the nests left by Mamas and protect them from predators and humans. They put a “predator excluder” cage around the nest, and then they wait. Two months later, after a cozy incubation beneath the surface of the ground, hatchlings begin to emerge. The volunteers and staff of the Sanctuary will remove the cage, collect the hatchlings, take some measurements and collect some data, then release the hatchlings. The hatchings will then find a nice spot to hide and hunker down for several months, safe from predators and the upcoming winter freeze.

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Diamondback Terrapin Hatchling. Photo taken on August 28, 2021 in Wellfleet, MA.

THE STORY

Diamondback Terrapins are a threatened species due to anthropogenic activity, habitat loss, and urbanization. Efforts to protect the Terrapins are important: not only are we a major cause of their population decline, but they are also a predator of snails that feed on marsh grass. Without the turtles to maintain the snails, the grass, which provides a habitat for multitudes of other species, would disappear. Diamondback Terrapins help to balance their habitat ecosystem.

While not sea turtles, Diamondback Terrapins are the only brackish water turtle born to New England coastal waters. These terrapins are estuary animals. They live in the saltmarsh and tidal coastal habitats. Every June to July, dinner plate-sized Mama turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in patches of sand just above the high tide line. Volunteers and Researchers of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s Citizen Science Terrapin Conservation Project go out every day to find the nests left by Mamas and protect them from predators and humans. They put a “predator excluder” cage around the nest, and then they wait. Two months later, after a cozy incubation beneath the surface of the ground, hatchlings begin to emerge. The volunteers and staff of the Sanctuary will remove the cage, collect the hatchlings, take some measurements and collect some data, then release the hatchlings. The hatchings will then find a nice spot to hide and hunker down for several months, safe from predators and the upcoming winter freeze.

Diamondback Terrapin Hatchling. Photo taken on August 28, 2021 in Wellfleet, MA.

THE STORY

Diamondback Terrapins are a threatened species due to anthropogenic activity, habitat loss, and urbanization. Efforts to protect the Terrapins are important: not only are we a major cause of their population decline, but they are also a predator of snails that feed on marsh grass. Without the turtles to maintain the snails, the grass, which provides a habitat for multitudes of other species, would disappear. Diamondback Terrapins help to balance their habitat ecosystem.

While not sea turtles, Diamondback Terrapins are the only brackish water turtle born to New England coastal waters. These terrapins are estuary animals. They live in the saltmarsh and tidal coastal habitats. Every June to July, dinner plate-sized Mama turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in patches of sand just above the high tide line. Volunteers and Researchers of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s Citizen Science Terrapin Conservation Project go out every day to find the nests left by Mamas and protect them from predators and humans. They put a “predator excluder” cage around the nest, and then they wait. Two months later, after a cozy incubation beneath the surface of the ground, hatchlings begin to emerge. The volunteers and staff of the Sanctuary will remove the cage, collect the hatchlings, take some measurements and collect some data, then release the hatchlings. The hatchings will then find a nice spot to hide and hunker down for several months, safe from predators and the upcoming winter freeze.

If you want to include a gift note, I am more than happy to provide a hand-written note for no extra charge! In the "add a note for leahdesrochersphoto" box during checkout, simply specify 1 of 2 options:

- option 1: you can write the note out, take a photo, and send it to me via etsy message. It will be printed on an included 3.5x5 card with the final photo shipment in your handwriting.

OR

- option 2: type in the box what you would like to include, and I can hand write the note (in calligraphy/cursive) to be printed on a 3.5x5 card and included with the final photo shipment.

Questions? Shoot me a message!

4 printing options:

Professional photo paper-

- Glossy: The high gloss paper is a Fuji Crystal Archive Pearl with a protective coating.

- Lustre: The lustre paper is a Kodak Endura Lustre with a protective coating.

Both come unframed with my signature printed in the bottom corner.

Metal-

- Dyes are infused directly into specially coated aluminum sheets. The high gloss, ultra-hard, scratch-resistant surface is waterproof/weatherproof, can be cleaned easily, and won't fade for at least 2 years in direct sunlight. Comes with hanging mounts. My signature is printed in the bottom corner.

Acrylic-

- Fine Art LexJet Prints face-mounted to plexiglass with polished edges creating a high-impact image. Prints are Lustre and Non-glare.

Comes with hanging mounts. My signature is printed in the bottom corner.

I also offer canvas prints as well. However, while they are a professional quality, they are not the same print quality as the above 3 methods, so please email me directly for inquiries if you are interested.

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INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Etsy does not allow multiple shipping profiles based on variations. Therefore, if you are an international customer and you do not agree with the cost of shipping, please email me prior to purchase. I am more than happy to work with you to get an accurate quote from the photo lab for the cost of shipping.

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Please note: Each item is made to order so the processing time is approximately one week because I get my photos printed from a professional lab. Because of this, I do not accept returns unless they arrive damaged or have an obvious factory fault. If this is the case, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

The color on your monitor may vary slightly than the actual printed result.

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PHOTOGRAPHER BIO:

Not at all a full-time photographer, I just recently finished my Master’s Degree focusing in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution. I’m also starting a veterinary technician program in order to become a wildlife and zoo veterinary technician. The proceeds gained from my photos will be used to fund my future education in veterinary technical school.

I’ve always had a passion for animals, the outdoors, and photography. I do my best to capture images that make you feel as though you’re actually there. While digital photos often are beautiful, in the frequent words of my mother, “Can we look at it on a large screen? I can hardly see it on your phone,” I’m taking her suggestion one step further. Imagine looking at the photo on your wall. Imagine being able to see the detail one step shorter than actually being there. That’s my goal.

I hope you enjoy experiencing the natural world through my eyes and immersing yourself in my adventures.

© 2021 Copyright

All artwork and products are for personal use only. You may gift the product to someone else. Anything you purchase from my shop cannot be resold/redistributed as copyright remains with Leah Desrochers and leahdesrochersphotography. Printed in USA.