Collaborating with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on a Terrapin Head Start Program

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In the fall of 2023, the Head Aquarist at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Tyan Bassett, contacted Krill to discuss the possibility of becoming involved in NECWA's Diamondback Terrapin Head Start Program. Although the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History has long cared for an adult terrapin, Tyan was interested in raising a hatchling for eventual release in the spring of 2024. With the support of the Brewster Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council, NECWA was able to make this happen. 

Tyan and Krill are good friends as they met in the field many years ago as Tyan has helped Krill with numerous ocean sunfish rescues and necropsies. So now it was Krill's turn to help Tyan with this request. Here is a photo taken in 2018 of Tyan and her son helping Krill weigh a dead ocean sunfish that stranded dead on South Sunken Meadows Beach in early winter. 

Tyan and staff raised this baby terrapin successfully until its release in June. What was really exciting was that this project became the focus for the Museum's high school intern, Emma Gallagher. 

Read more about this experience from Tyan and from Emma herself. 

From Tyan Bassett:

"Emma Gallagher our Cape Cod Museum of Natural History 2024 Intern from Dennis Yarmouth High School sent me this write-up of her experience raising the baby terrapin. Emma has been helping me all year every weekend. She is dedicated to everything she does and she is so positive and helpful. She wrote this about her experience helping to raise a baby Diamondback Terrapin. This is great experience for her as Emma is going to Northeastern University on a scholarship this fall."

From Emma Gallagher:


"Observing the growth of terrapin turtles from September 2023 through June 2024 has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Throughout this period, I witnessed incredible physical development. In addition, I gained several valuable skills. Using tools like the caliper allowed me to accurately measure and track terrapin growth, while utilizing Google Spreadsheets allowed me to analyze the collected data efficiently, monitoring their progress closely and noting changes. 

 

For instance, changes in tank conditions, appetite, and measuring tools, all in which can affect their growth. It was fascinating to observe how 007 exhibited substantial growth, weighing just over 110 grams on release day, and no more than 5 grams within the first month. 

 

Overall, this hands-on experience enriched my understanding of animal care and scientific observation. It provided insight into the importance of record-keeping, management practices, and introduced me to several new tools. This program was incredible. I highly recommend this study."


NECWA would once again like to thank the Brewster Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council for supporting this project. The experience gained by the staff and interns at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History was a great learning experience on so many levels. This work could not be accomplished without their support. 




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