FWC SEC 3,4,5

How do you format an STSSN Observer Code?

Initials, year, date, what number the turtle is for the day, county, species

What is the deadline for the online submission

24 hrs

What are the minimum FWC photo requirements and views?

3 for FWC

5 for CMA

How do hatchlings vs post hatchling differ?

Hatchlings are less than 5cm

Post hatchlings are 5-10cm (they may also have algae or barnacles)

What turtles/scenarios need to be salvaged for FWC

Hawksbill, Kemps, Leatherback, Olive Ridley

Tags or scars, fishing line (entanglement), hooks, if there’s a bouy get the bouy number.

Save dead and robust turtles that have no apparent injury

STSSN form info (list the sections or items that they ask for)

Photographs of each stranded turtle when submitting the STSSN report.

These include one close-up photograph of the turtles head, one photograph of the dorsal surface of the turtle, and one photograph of the ventral surface of the turtle.

Index card with the STSSN ID (three initials of the observer year, other day and the number-by-day) w each photograph.

Keep tags and stuff if the turtle was entangled

Take a pic before detangling them

Calipers vs soft tape

Calipers - for straight measurements (notch to tip)

Tape - curved measurements

Veterinary exam deadline

New patients must be examined within 24hrs of admittance to facility

Transporting conditions: hatchlings, when to use a wet towel, etc.

In a container of its moist sand

Greater than or equal to 75F then use a wet towel & pour water on head

For less than 75F no wet towel

SID number - what is it and who gets it (alive vs dead)?

If alive they receive a SID number if dead they don’t

Which species can be held for educational display?

Loggerhead

Artificial lighting guidelines

Can’t be used during hatchling releases, all tanks housing marine turtles shall have sunlight

What do we use to treat our waters for disease?

Chlorine or ozone

Feeding bullet points 1, 2, and 3 on pg. 4-9

1. Food shall be provided in an unspoiled and uncontaminated-condition. Food should either be fresh, flash frozen and glazed, or frozen in some other manner that ensures the quality of the food. Any frozen food is to be completely thawed in cool water or air in refrigerated coolers prior to feeding and used entirely or discarded. Frozen food that has been thawed shall be used within 24 hours after thawing. Under no circumstances may food be refrozen. If the quality of the food is questionable, it shall not be used for marine turtles feeding. Commercially prepared diets (e.g., dry, pelletized, floating or sinking varieties) may utilized, but they must be fresh or stored frozen to maintain nutritional value and to prevent deterioration or microbial growth.

Feeding bullet point 2

2. Food shall be of a type and quantity that meets the nutritional requirements for the particular species and size class. Reasonable efforts shall be made by the holding facility to develop proper diets for marine turtles. It is the responsibility of the holding facility to ensure they are not being over or underfed quantities and composition should be sufficient to promote safe growth rates but prevent obesity

Feeding bullet point 3

3. Hand feeding of educational, research or rehabilitating turtles that will eventually be released is prohibited expect when absolutely necessary as a part of rehabilitation. In the latter case, the turtle should be allowed to feed on its own as soon as possible. Feeding tools (e.g. bottom feeders,feeding mats) that are designed to mimic natural feeding conditions or behaviors are encouraged when appropriate.

Paps - do all facilities treat for this?

?

Releasing - Final location approval?

FWC’s choice

Release - Tumors present?

Tumors can be present as long as it isn’t life threatening

Release - Missing flippers?

As long as it doesn’t prevent the turtle from living and surviving in the wild

How long can you hold a turtle that is cleared?

45 consecutive days

Release - Petroleum jelly use

At temps < 75F to cause them not to dry out - only juveniles

Educational/BTS Tours - # of people approved

1 staff for 15 guests

Critical care location rules and ways to limit stress

1. Viewing windows must be able to be covered or critical care or particularly fractions turtles should be maintained in a location removed from visitor, display and tour areas

2. The vet is responsible for the care of any turtle house in an area that will be toured must see, that the turtle is stable and that the tours will not affect the turtles health

3. Tanks involved in the tours must be half covered or provide a hiding spot for turtles

4. Display areas and staging locations should be designed so visitors cannot touch or interact directly with the turtles, or their tanks/water systems

5. Tours can only be conducted during hours when the turtles would normally benefit from exposed to light

6. The timing of tours must not interfere with the treatment and care of the turtles health Tanks. Tours may be conducted while a turtle is receiving treatment if the veterinarian responsible for the care of the turtle approves and guests are kept at a far enough distance from the turtle and staff working with the turtle so as to minimize the potential for additional stress and not interfere with treatment

7. Each tour must have at least one (1) Authorized Personnel guide (e.g., staff, volunteer) present for every fifteen (15) guests

8. Visitors must be instructed to minimize disturbance and stress to turtles, including no touching of turtles of their tanks, minimal noise, and no flash photography that could store the animals

9. The release of any captive turtle may not be delayed to facilitate tours

10. The and careturtle.

Necropsy reports - What turtles get a necropsy report?

?

PIT tag vs Flipper tag: Differences in them and why do we do both? Which one retains longer than the other?

PIT - Internal not visibly present, also need a specialized scanner

Flipper - external

PIT tags retain longer

Satellite tagging purposes and what turtles are qualified to get one and why?

Heavier and more energetic cost, to track turtle movement for research

Location of PIT tag when applying

In the muscle of the front flipper

For <12 in should be in mid - triceps

PIT tags retain longer

Chemicals used (be specific) to clean application sites for PIT and metal tags

Betadine & 70% alcohol 2x