The
Hilton Head Sun
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September 5, 2024 • Volume 27, Issue 9 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
USCB biologists’ partner in first Unexpected terrapin survey in Beaufort County tap water
colors startling but harmless 8A
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The scientists used seine nets to conduct the terrapin survey.
BY CAROL WEIR Contributor A small turtle that lives in the salt marsh recently drove scientists from the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the Port Royal Sound Foundation and other institutions above their waists in pluff mud. On August 2, 20 volunteers
conducted the first terrapin survey in Beaufort County, using seine nets to catch seven terrapins (four males and three females, all adults) in about two hours. The group photographed the animals, weighed them, measured them and notched the shell of each before returning it to the creek where it was caught. For future studies, notched shells
COURTNEY KIMMEL, PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION
near Coastal Expeditions’ will identify individuals that headquarters on St. Helena Ishave been caught before. The turtle trackers included land. This day was a test run that USCB marine biologist Tye may lead to a long-term DiaPettay and several of his students, a graduate student from mondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) monitoring Clemson University and staff project. from the Port Royal Sound “The Marine Biology ProFoundation, Lowcountry Ecogram is planning for this monlogical LLC, Coastal Expeditions and Fripp Island. Their survey site was Wards Creek, TERRAPIN CONT. ON PAGE 3A
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