November

November 22 Update

Behaving Like True Siblings

Sometimes siblings get along. Sometimes they don't. Over the past week or so, we've noticed that the same is true with Artemis and Apollo. Sometimes they get along. Sometimes Artemis chases Apollo around the tank. Sometimes she rides piggy back on him. Zoo New England reports this unfriendly behavior can be normal. In hopes of reducing this behavior, we are going to try a bigger tank with more enrichment items to keep them occupied. If you happen to have a 40 gallon aquarium (that is at least 35 inches long) at home that you are willing to donate, please reach out to Mrs. Reyelt or Ms. Reid.

One FAQ this week: what are the turtles doing for Thanksgiving? Enjoying the holiday with Mrs. Reyelt and her family! The turtles can go three days without being fed, but not four, so they will go home with Ms. Reyelt. While she could use a smaller container at home for the tank, Ms. Reyelt will bring their current tank and all the supplies home.

IMG_5956.MOV

Some of the questionable behavior

November 22 Measurements - visit the Data page to see a growth graph

Artemis 43.4 grams

Carapace Length 61.5 mm

Apollo 48.11 grams

Carapace Length 64.9

November 15 Update

Hungry, Hungry Turtles

Observation of the week: the Artemis and Apollo were VERY hungry after the three day weekend. This Tuesday, after the three day weekend, the turtles set a feeding record: they each ate 200 pellets, double what they were averaging last week. And a huge increase from the 20-30 pellets they were averaging when they arrived back in September. While we feed them twice a day on school days, the turtles aren't usually fed on weekends - which is ok by Zoo New England. The scientists say they can go up to three days without being fed.

Now that the turtles are both around 40 grams, we will try feeding them the larger food pellets. We tried this a week or so ago, but although they would put them in their mouths, they would spit them back out.

November 15 Measurements - visit the Data page to see a growth graph

Artemis 36.85 grams

Carapace Length 58.3

Apollo 40.14 grams

Carapace Length 60.1

November 8 Update

Say Hello to Artemis & Apollo

Our turtles now have official names: Artemis and Apollo. Driscoll students voted this past week, choosing these Greek twin names. We have decided that Left Dot (aka 2450 aka the one that bit Right Dot) is Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. Right Dot (aka 2455) is Apollo, Greek god of healing (among other things).

IMG_5725.MOV

Enjoying the deep water...

IMG_5750.MOV

...and enjoying the vegetation.

November 7 Measurements - visit the Data page to see a growth graph

Artemis 32.19 grams

Carapace Length 55.3

Apollo 35.45 grams

Carapace Length 56.8

November 1 Update

Field Trip for Right Dot

Big news in Right Dot's tail this week: the tip fell on Thursday. It was still hanging on during the morning feeding, but by 10am, it had fallen off. We snagged it from the bottom of the tank, where it was being inspected by a curious Left Dot. Zoo New England was happy to hear it had fallen off on its own. Observers this week noticed that Right Dot was hanging out (hiding out?) more in the plants, so Kirsten from Zoo New England took the turtle to their veterinarian Friday afternoon. Right Dot returned to Driscoll a couple hours later, after getting an antibiotic and a good checkup. Zoo New England and the vets are very happy with the way the tail is healing and with Right Dot's impressive weight gain.

Per the advice of Zoo New England, we are now feeding the turtles in separate feeding bins rather than in the tank together, in hopes of lessening aggression around food (if that was indeed the cause of the tail bite). We have also added more plants to the tank, giving the turtles a spot for more hiding out spots (who doesn't like their privacy). We also flattened the tank on Friday, because our little turtles aren't so little anymore, and no longer need a very shallow end to stand in.

In the Art Room

4G students blending oil pastels, using baby oil to create realistic patterns of sea turtles scutes.

Feeding & Measuring

Both the Feeding and Measuring teams did great jobs this week handling the turtles.

November 1 Measurements - visit the Data page to see a growth graph

Left Dot Weight 28.32 grams

Carapace Length 53.5

Right Dot Weight 31.79

Carapace Length 55.5

Page updated

Report abuse