Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 29

Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report  • • • • Page 29 Protect natural habitats/leave natural habitats undisturbed. Maintain and landscape with native plants. R  educe direct mortality (by, among other things, controlling pets, educating tourists and residents). Limit pesticide and fertilizer use. Loggerhead and leatherback turtles are found in the ocean or the tidal rivers, but our brackish rivers and creeks support another turtle, the diamondback terrapin. This turtle has been internationally designated as a threatened species. According to the website wildlifeatkiawah.com, The diamondback terrapin is Kiawah’s only brackish water turtle. Terrapins are 5-8 inches long (females are twice as big as males) and weigh between 0.5 lbs and 1.5 lbs. These turtles get their name from the striking diamond-shaped pattern on their top shell. They are typically light brown or gray on top and yellow to olive on the bottom. Their whitish-gray skin is covered with unique black spots and wavy markings. Terrapins can live more than 20 years. They feed primarily on snails, worms, fish, and crabs. In the marshes of Kiawah, terrapins eat mostly periwinkle snails and fiddler crabs. Unfortunately, as reported by B. Petersen in the Post & Courier on October 7, 2013, there are declining numbers of these turtles in the creeks leading to the Kiawah River. One possible consequence of this decline could be an increase in the population of the marsh periwinkle snail, a prime food source for the diamondback terrapin. Questions and Suggested Research • • • • • Why are many of the mainland species not present despite having suitable habitat? What are the effects of competition and its removal? Population studies on the American Alligator ·  The alligator population has significantly increased from an estimated 200 individuals in 1975 to about 400 today. ·  this due to the increase in the number of ponds (from 10-15 ponds in Is 1975 to about 130 today)? What happened to all the cottonmouth moccasins and ribbon snakes? ·  Moccasins are a common food source for the American alligator. As the alligator population has increased, this could have an effect on the moccasin population. · Has there been a significant change in the freshwater systems? · In general, how has development affected the snake population? Continue observation of the diamondback terrapin and efforts for its preservation. Revised: May 2014_REV 8 • Summary of KI research on diamondback terrapins, ongoing since 1983. Includes links to several journal articles. www.bio.davidson.edu/dorcas/ research/Terrapins/ Malaclemysterrapin.htm Also: http://www.wildlifeatkiawah.com/terrapins.html