Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 29.05.2008 (Article Archived on 12.06.2008)

Sam Weber has been very busy this summer studying temperature in relation to sea turtle hatchling success.

Nearly an albino, this pale little hatchling emerged last week in a Conservation Centre incubator.
Photo: Sam Weber

Sam Weber has been very busy this summer studying temperature in relation to sea turtle hatchling success. Last week, Sam made an interesting discovery when an unusual-looking turtle hatched in one of the incubators at the Conservation Centre. The turtle came from a nest that was originally laid on Long Beach.  It was nearly all white like an albino, however, it had blue eyes, pink-tinged flippers, black lines between the scutes on its shell and a pink nose. While not unheard of, albino hatchlings aren’t often encountered on Ascension. Albino colouration isn’t favoured because it can make the turtle more likely to be predated.  Normal shell colouration for green sea turtle hatchlings is a dark green or grayish top (carapace) with a white or cream coloured bottom (plastron).  This type of colouration makes the hatchlings nearly invisible from predators in the sky and in the sea. From above, the dark green top shell blends in with the seaweed the hatchlings sit in and from below the white bottom is difficult to see when predators in the sea peer up towards the bright sun. This hatchling will have an extra challenge in its quest for survival and we wish it all the best!

SPECIAL REQUEST:  The Conservation Department has received several reports of dog excrement left on the beaches and in walking areas along the roads.  If you own a dog, please be considerate and responsible. Please pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s mess.

VOLUNTEER THANK YOU’S: A thank-you is extended to the movers who helped with path clearing and to Liza White who helped with land crab monitoring last week.