BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The McWane Science Center has announced a new partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) which allowed a new living exhibit.
McWane says the newest living exhibit is the Terrapin Nursery. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at how conservationists give Mississippi Diamondback Terrapins a strong, healthy start.
“These tiny turtles may be small now, but they play a big role in Alabama’s coastal ecosystems, and visitors can help support them in a fun, hands-on way,” says a McWane Science Center spokesperson.
The partnership with the UAB Biology Department and the lab of Dr. Thane Wibbels allows the nursery to be an active conservation lab rather than just an exhibit, according to McWane.
At the lab/exhibit, young terrapins from the Head Start Program can be raised in a safe, controlled environment which allows them to grow in strength and health before they return to the marsh.
Why do these turtles matter and what does the nursery do for them?
The McWane Science Center shared more about why these turtle’s matter, describing them as an “iconic” Gulf Coast reptile.
“With its signature diamond-patterned shell and speckled skin, each terrapin is as unique as a fingerprint,” says a McWane spokesperson. “These turtles thrive in brackish water where freshwater meets the sea and serve as a keystone species in the marsh.”
McWane says these turtles help protect marsh grasses through their dietary habits. In turn, that marsh grass shelters fish, birds and other coastal creatures.
According to McWane, habitat loss, predators and accidental capture in crab traps have caused a dip in the terrapin population. They say programs like the Terrapin Nursery are critical in protecting the species for future generations.
McWane says the eggs inside the Terrapin Nursery are collected from nests that are threatened by predators or habitat disturbances. Hatchlings are then fed a nutrient-rich diet that matches what they’d eat in the wild. From there, student researchers monitor the terrapin’s growth, health and behavior.
After two years at the nursery, these terrapins are tagged, tracked and released into their native habitats, according to McWane.
Vote to help name the new terrapin hatchlings
For Giving Tuesday, the McWane Science Center is allowing visitors and supporters to help name their eight terrapin hatchlings.
“Each $5 donation counts as a vote toward a favorite naming category, with all proceeds supporting McWane’s conservation education initiatives,” said a McWane spokesperson.
The naming categories are below:
- Bread: Pumpernickel, Challah, Rye, Bagel, Brioche, Cornbread, Toast and Focaccia.
- Cheese: Gouda, Brie, Blue Cheese, Parmesan, Cheddar, Ricotta, Gorgonzola and Munster.
- Alabama Waterways: Coosa, Cahaba, Conecuh, Logan Martin, Little Warrior, Chattahoochee, Jordan and Tallapoosa.
- Flowers: Rose, Lilac, Lily, Poppy, Camellia, Marigold, Azalea and Daisy.
- Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM): Eugenie Clark, Jane Goodall, Chien-Shiung Wu, Vera Rubin, Sally Ride, Rosalind Frank, Mary W. Jackson and Katherine Johnson.
To learn more about the new nursery, you can click or tap here. To donate and vote to name a young terrapin, you can click or tap here.
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