This is an update on the Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks reptile conservation and education projects being conducted by Earthshine Nature Programs.

Turtle Tracks Update: All four turtles are out of hibernation and on the move about the mountains.  Catherine and Jimmy the box turtles were not far from their overwintering locations.  Paula Journeys and Shelly Echo, the two box turtles we are tracking at our Sky Valley study site, are also on the move although as with the Earthshine turtles they are also not far from their overwintering locations.

Utsanati and Zoe have moved a good distance away from their dens and while Utsanati was visible resting on the surface I was unable to locate Zoe as she was sheltering deep inside a thorny thicket or in a rotting log on both locate days.

Watch the video reports from the the last few locate days below:

Video 1: Turtle and Snake Tracks Field Report for May 08, 2014

If the video does not play try following this link to watch the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT7UvBwVVyw

 

Video 2: Snake Tracks Field Report for May 18, 2014

If the video does not play try following this link to watch the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxC0D65k4tY

 

Ratsnake Tracks

Splinter, the large black ratsnake we are tracking at the Sky valley site, was released a few days ago and is on the move in the forest and it seems like he wants to get as far away as possible from the nature center!  Take a look at the video below for the details from his release day!

If the video does not play try following this link to watch the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXEIjUTkMU

These amazing reptile conservation and education projects would not be possible without your support–

THANK YOU ALL!

Thank you all for making the Snake Tracks and Turtle Tracks wildlife conservation projects possible.  Thank you for continuing to support Earthshine Nature Programs over the last seven years.  If the turtles and snakes could speak they would thank you even more than I because due to your support they will in turn be supported through the efforts of science being put to use in the areas of wildlife and habitat conservation.  Thank you also to the land owners in the community where these turtles and snakes live.  Thank you for taking care of these highly misunderstood but yet oh so important parts of a healthy ecosystem.

I leave you with a photo of Utsanati that I took on April 30, 2014

The story continues…

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Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks are two reptile conservation, research and education projects occurring near Earthshine Discovery Center and Dupont Forest in the mountains of western North Carolina, USA. Through the magic of modern technology and a lot of hard volunteer work by a wildlife conservationist and his small crew of volunteers, glimpse into the lives of several wild reptiles living in their natural habitats. For more detailed info on our projects and programs please take a look at our website: http://www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation of our misunderstood wildlife through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs, conservation based field research programs, and online with our nature documentary video series.

We are not paid nor do we collect a salary to operate ENP or to conduct our wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated program designed to educate you about these greatly misunderstood and amazing animals and hopefully, to impart to you, their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth and healthy humans.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who have donated to ENP over the years!! Without all of you, our wildlife conservation and education mission would just not be possible – your support makes this important work happen. If you would like to support Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate by visiting http://www.earthshinenature.com/donate

Music by John Mason and the Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission.

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

 

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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