THE SAVE THE TURTLE ISSUE - OUR 30TH YEAR! Our 31st Year! - Cimpress
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Children’s Newspaper...that’s Read by Parents and Grandparents, too!
Volume 32, Issue 4 September/October 2021 Absolutely FREE
Our 31st Year!
OUR 30TH YEAR!
This paper belongs to ________________________________.
THE SAVE THE TURTLE ISSUE
The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 3
Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Last year and this year, Waldo and I had a pleasant surprise when
a box turtle appeared near our front porch. We noticed she was digging
with her back feet last year. When I looked up this behavior online, I read
that the females do that to bury their eggs until they hatch. Per a web-
site’s recommendations on turtle conservation, I placed an upside-down
wire basket with narrow spacing between the wires over the eggs were
to protect them. I also placed two or three stones on top of what would
normally be the bottom of the basket to weight it down, and some
stakes through the wires to help further secure it. This was to help keep
them safe from scavengers. Note: turtles don’t nurture their young. Once
the mother turtle lays her eggs, she goes away, leaving them to fend for
themselves. I also made sure to look in the basket every day, sometimes
twice a day, for signs of activity. Well, imagine my delight when, a couple
of months after I saw the mother turtle digging her hole, I spotted a baby
TABLE OF CONTENTS Above, a mother turtle is digging a hole to lay her eggs. - photo by Susan M. Wald
Turtles Around the World.......................................................................4
Ospreys in the Hamptons........................................................................5 turtle walking around under the wire basket! I immediately picked it up,
How to Care for a Pet Turtle...............................................................6 looked in the hole he crawled out of, saw another shell sticking up out of
Sea Turtles...................................................................................................7 it, dug it up, and there were two or three other turtles who crawled out
Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons.............................................................8 and away!
Simone Biles...............................................................................................9 We both hope they are doing fine and growing strong, and that
The New York Marine Rescue Center..............................................12 eggs will hatch out of the hole we thought was dug this year.
Remembering Lou & Dotty Wald.......................................................12 Sincerely,
Turtle Jokes..............................................................................................13 Susan “Tulip” M. Wald
Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road.................................................13
Dear Ms. Spiral Notebook...................................................................14
The Origin of Turtles.............................................................................15
The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center of the Hamptons..........16
A Diamond in the Rough.................................................................17
Letter from Waldo..................................................................................18
What Three Things Are Different?...............................................18
Answers to the Save the Turtle Issue Puzzles..................................18
More Turtle Puzzles...............................................................................19
Publishers..............................Eric “Waldo” Wald, Susan M. “Tulip” Wald
Executive Editor.....................................................Susan M. “Tulip “ Wald
Advertising Sales............................................................................Eric Wald
Technical Support.................Rob Florio, Robert Anthony, Ed Lindley
Circulation......................................John Brinsmade, Terry Maccarrone
Contributing Writers:
Susan Wald, Eric Wald, Jerry Cimisi, Paula Timpson, Chris Clark, Greg Bullock,
Paul King III, Ms. Spiral Notebook
Contributing Artists and Photographers:
Connie McGuiness, Susan M. Wald, South Fork Natural History Museum,
Rosemary Szczygiel, Associated Press, New York Marine Rescue Center, Greg
Bullock, Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center of the Hamptons, KarenLise Bjerring
Cover by Connie McGuinness
A special thanks to Anthony and all our friends at Staples,
and to the South Fork Natural History Museum
ATTENTION BIG PEOPLE: If you would like to find out more about
advertising in The Waldo Tribune, please call (631) 808-3247.
Thanks to the advertisers in this paper, every child and his or her family can
enjoy The Waldo Tribune for free. Be sure to thank these sponsors, for they alone
make The Waldo Tribune possible.
The Waldo Tribune is published by The Waldo Tribune, Inc. Eric Wald, President; Susan Wald,
Vice-President, address: P.O. Box 2587, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. Copyright 2021, The Waldo Tribune, Inc.
All rights reserved. None of the materials contained herein may be reproduced, in whole or in part,
in any manner whatsoever without prior express written consent of the publisher or the copyright
holder (if other than the publisher). We will not hesitate to take legal action to protect our copyrights.
Advertiser assumes sole responsibility for content of ad. The publisher cannot accept any responsibility
for unsolicited materials. The Waldo Tribune was founded in 1990 and is the only FREE newspaper in
print for children, parents and grandparents in the tri-state area.
PLEASE NOTE: The Waldo Tribune is a completely independent publication, and is
NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR CONNECTED TO in any way, shape or form to Dan’s Papers,
Hamptons Magazine, The Independent or any other newspaper or publication on the
East End or anywhere else, online or in print.
The Waldo Tribune welcomes stories and illustrations. If you have any
stories or pictures you would like to share, please send them to: The Waldo
Tribune, Box 2587, Sag Harbor, N.Y. 11963. Please include a self-addressed
stamped envelope!
You may also e-mail them to waldoandtulip@optonline.net.
The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 4
Turtles Around the World written by Jerry Cimisi
photo credit: South Fork Natural History Museum
T here are turtles all over the world. There are more than 350 dif-
ferent types of turtles. Turtles have been with us since prehistoric
times. In fact, the fossil of one prehistoric turtle was measured at
15 feet long, and was thought to have weighed almost 5,000 pounds!
There may not be any turtles that big now, but the leatherback tur-
shade; in cold climates, they will bask in the sun. Larger turtles have an ad-
vantage: they can store coolness or heat in their bodies for a time, while
seeking shade or sun.
Most of us probably think of turtles as silent, but in fact they can
make many sounds, such as when migrating or mating. These sounds are
tle can grow close to nine feet long and weigh more than 1,100 pounds. apparently meant to communicate with other turtles.
Tortoises from the Galapagos Islands can be six feet long and weigh more Turtles normally migrate to reach favorable sites to lay eggs. Turtles
than 900 pounds. (Remember, tortoises are turtles that live only on land.) are the only reptiles that migrate for long distances. Some marine turtles
The smallest turtle is the speckled padloper tortoise of South Africa. When migrate for more than 1,000 miles. Non-marine turtles migrate shorter dis-
full-grown, it is just three inches long and weighs less than five ounces. tances, up to 12 miles.
Myths and legends about turtles have been with us since the begin- Marine turtles may nest by a beach, lay their eggs, then leave the
ning of human history. Some ancient cultures have left us with images of a eggs to hatch. Not long after the turtles hatch, they make their way to the
turtle carrying the world on its back. The Lenape Indians saw the turtle as water. The amazing thing is that as the turtles grow, and travel many, many
having qualities they valued, such as perseverance and longevity. miles from where they were born, when they are ready to lay their own eggs,
Maybe olden people saw a giant turtle carrying the world around, they will return to the same area where they were born. How they do this is
because of its hard shell. This shell is unique among vertebrate animals— unexplained. Some scientists believe turtles may use the earth’s magnetic
meaning animals with spines. The shell is made of bone, 50-60 bones, in field to navigate across vast distances.
fact. The bottom of the shell has from seven to 11 bones, depending on If people of the past were drawn to turtles, more recent times have
the species, and covers the turtle’s stomach. The outer surface of the shell had the same fascination. There is the classic story of “The Tortoise and the
is made of keratin, which is the same substance that makes up human hair Hare” in a race. The Hare is so much faster, but the Tortoise just keeps plod-
and fingernails. ding along while the Hare relaxes, and so the Tortoise wins the race.
A turtle’s shell is essential for its life, protecting it not only from the There are the popular children’s books about “Franklin the Turtle”.
weather, but animals who want to eat it. But those heavy shells can slow There is Lewis Carrol’s Mock Turtle in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. There
a turtle down on land. The desert tortoise can reach a top speed of only is Dr. Seuss’s “Yertle the Turtle”.
one-tenth of a mile per hour. (A person can usually walk a mile in about 15 In TV and movies we have seen: Crush, a 150 year old sea turtle in
minutes.) The feet of tortoises are thick, with short toes; they look a lot like Finding Nemo, with a son named Squirt; the Muppet turtle Shelly on Sesame
the feet of elephants. Street; and Grandmaster Oogway, a giant, old tortoise who is a Kung Fu mas-
Though turtles who live in the sea and have web-like feet, can reach ter in Kung Fu Panda.
speeds of 19 mile an hour, other water-living turtles, such as snapping tur- Of course, there are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Mutant Turtles, from
tles and mud turtles, walk along the bottom of rivers, looking for food. Al- video games and comics.
though many turtles spend much of their time in water, and can be under- Those who were children in the 1950s and 1960s might remember
water for long periods of time, they have to come up for air. Bert the Turtle from the “Duck and Cover” TV cartoon-like short films of that
Have you ever seen a turtle crying? Because sea turtles spend their era. In those years people were very worried about atom bombs being used
lives in salt water, to regulate the amount of salt in their bodies, they secrete in a war, and school children were trained to “duck and cover” under their
it in a sticky substance from their eyes, so it looks like they are crying. desks if such terrible events occurred. So children would see Bert the Turtle
Because turtles are reptiles and their body heat is determined by ducking into his shell in case of danger.
whatever temperature is around them, they have to seek either warmer or All this shows we have made turtles part of our history and enter-
cooler environments to be comfortable. In hot climates, they will look for tainment in a special way.
The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 5
color me
Ospreys in the Hamptons
written by Eric Wald
illustrated by Rosemary Szczygiel
A
lso known as Pandion haliaetus, if you look on a sun-
ny day on Scuttlehole Road in Bridgehampton and
for books, videos and more
Water Mill, you can see families of ospreys fishing for
their families. The ospreys, also known as fish-hawks, have Call 631-537-0015
Hampton Library
huge wings that are beautiful and as long as more than 180
centimeters (71 inches) across. The ospreys are good moth-
ers and fathers. The male hunts fish for the young. The nest
is built by both the mother and father. They can use the in Bridgehampton
same nest for many years, adding material to the nest un- myhamptonlibrary.org
til it is huge. They fish with exceptional precision with their
claws or talons. It takes 51 to 54 days for the young ospreys
to fly.
Their plumage is dark brown above and white below,
with a white head and a dark chest. In 1995, there were over
230 breeding pairs on Long Island.
So, the next time you are riding in a car, look out the
window, and way on top of the utility poles may be an os-
prey tower with a beautiful family of its own.
Our Local Certi�ied
Organic Vegetables,
Herbs, Flowers & Fruit
The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 6
How to Care for a Pet Turtle door enclosure, though you also have to take into consideration
by Jerry Cimisi the climate where you live. A state like Maine, with very cold
winters, might be too harsh for such turtles, while the heat of
T
he first thing to know about having a pet turtle is the type the summer in the American southwest would be too hot.
of turtle you want to have. Most turtle pet owners have On the other hand, the Red-Eared Slider Turtle is very
aquatic or semi-aquatic turtles. Aquatic means living in much at home in what we would call an aquarium, with plenty
or spending most of their time in water. These are turtles such as of water for swimming, but with some dry places to cool off.
Box, Painted, Wood, and Caspian Pond turtles. People usually get turtles before they are full grown, but
have to realize they will grow. A 40-gallon tank could be fine for
young turtles, but when they are full grown, a 75-gallon tank
could be required.
You are going to have to regularly clean your turtle’s tank,
and it might actually be easier to have a larger tank, because
while you are cleaning one part of the tank, the turtle can move
to another area in the tank.
Turtles require more attention than fish, but less than a
dog or cat. Turtles are cold-blooded; that means the tempera-
ture of their bodies becomes the same as the temperature of
the environment in which they live. Most turtles thrive best at
temperatures between 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures
lower than 50 degrees can cause a turtle to go into hibernation
or even get sick. Turtles in an aquarium setting should have what
is called a basking light, that will keep the water as well as the air warm.
It is important to research the needs and habits of what-
ever turtle you have chosen, especially because many will need
to hibernate for a period of time. You might mistake inactivity
for illness, when it is simply the turtle hibernating.
Box turtles have a shell that looks more like a dome or Even if you have a filtration system in your turtle tank, the
box; other, more aquatic turtles have a flatter, more streamlined water should be changed regularly. If you start to smell the wa-
shell, for faster movement in water. ter, you know it’s overdue for a change.
Box turtles like a land environment, with a little patch of You can buy turtle food in any pet store. The best kind of
water for cooling off. The best situation for a Box Turtle is an out- turtle food has similar nutrition to what the turtle would eat in
the wild. You can also give them lettuce, bugs, worms and vari-
ous plants or vegetables.
Birds may like to perch on your hand, and cats and dogs
love to be petted and played with, but turtles do not like to be
handled too much. It you drop or throw it around, it can eas-
ily get hurt, even with its hard shell. The enjoyment of turtles
is more in the watching a reptile, a very different creature from
ourselves, go through its life.
By the way, do you know the difference between a turtle
and a tortoise? Tortoises are entirely land creatures, they are af-
fectionate, very strong willed, and recognize their owners. Keep-
ing a tortoise indoors is not a good idea. They also live at least
as long, and usually longer than, most human beings: 80-150
years, in fact. It’s known that one tortoise lived for more than
200 years!
Would you like to know
How to Reach 30,000
Households with young children
in the Hamptons and the North Fork?
GIVE US A CALL!
. . .and find out how
can help you reach
YOUR TARGET MARKET!
CALL (631) 808-3247
Download current issue FREE! WWW.WALDOTRIBUNE.COMThe Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 7
Sea turtles are amazing and beautiful blessings !!
Sea Turtles written by Paula Timpson
photo courtesy of the New York Marine Rescue Center
S
ea turtles have been around for 120 million years. Their webbed
feet, like flippers, make it easy to swim. Often, they appear to be
flying in the water. Sea turtles are always in the ocean, except
to lay their eggs in the sand. Females are able to return to the exact
beach where they lay their eggs after traveling many miles by sensing
the magnetic field on earth. Sea turtles cannot hide their heads or
feet flippers inside their shells as other turtles can. They don’t need
to protect themselves from predators on the water. They are more
vulnerable to dangers and trouble of getting tangled in fishing nets.
Green sea turtles are vegetarians. Sea turtles love to eat jelly-
fish. We need to all be careful and recycle or reuse plastic bags, be-
cause if they get into the sea, sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jelly-
fish and eat them and die from swallowing plastic.
They can hold their breath for five hours underwater. Wow!
They slow their heart rate to conserve oxygen. Sea turtles keep the
ocean floors clean by eating seagrass. They love green foods. Sea
turtles help marine creatures from getting harmed by tall seagrass
by keeping seagrass short and eating it. Warm nests create females.
Cooler ones make male baby sea turtles.
Sea turtles have been around a very long time. Sea turtles
shared earth with T-rex dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures.
Sea turtles lay about 100 eggs every time they nest, and they live to
be 100 years old. Be careful with dogs who dig up sea turtles’ nest
eggs buried in the sand.
Sea turtles’ compasses help them know direction by sensing
the earth’s magnetic field. Sea turtles look like angels as their big flip-
pers help them swim smoothly through the sea.
Keep the nesting beaches dark and safe for sea turtles. Do not
release balloons; they may end up in the ocean and hurt sea turtles
, and other sea animals, who mistake them for jellyfish. Sea turtle
nesting season is May 1st to Oct 31 on southwest Florida beaches. Sea
turtles come out at night and use dim light to find the sea. More than
one hundred thousand female Sea turtles come to Florida beaches.
Ninety percent of sea turtle nesting in the U.S. is in Florida.
After laying eggs, the sea turtle fills her hole with sand and goes back
into the ocean. This takes a half hour to an hour. It is illegal to touch
a sea turtle or its nest and eggs. Sea turtles are protected by Florida’s
Marine Turtle Protection Act and the U.S. Endangered Act of 1973.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 8
Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons
written by Eric Wald
photo courtesy of South Fork Natural History Museum
K
aren Testa, the executive director of Turtle Rescue of
the Hamptons since 2012, an organization located in
Jamesport, with whom I recently spoke, said they save
as many as 200 turtles a year. Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons
is a volunteer not-for-profit organization. They are there for all
turtles. One can call them at 631-779-3737 when they see an
injured turtle or a turtle in danger.
Henry Persan & Sons A good Samaritan can bring the turtle to them at their
79 Division Street hospital, where they can assess the injury and give it a physi-
Sag Harbor, NY 11963 cal exam and draw up a treatment plan.
Turtles heal very slowly, and are treated every day for
Phone: 631-725-1900 as long as five years, depending on the injury. Ms. Testa says
all wild animals bite. Each turtle species eats something differ-
ent.
All mother turtles nest on land, and bury their eggs,
and then the eggs stay in the ground for up to 80 days. There
are 11 different kinds of turtles in New York State. Out of the
18 species in the world, 12 are endangered or threatened. The
best way to pick up a turtle is like a pizza box. First, one must
cover its head with a blanket, and place the turtle in a box, or
pick it up with a shovel.
Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons rescues over 200 tur-
tles a year. The common snapping turtle is the New York State
reptile, and they are not aggressive, but are defensive and can
bite hard if you get close to them.
So, if you see an injured turtle, try to save its life and
bring it to the Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons. It will be a good
deed, and could help a helpless creature who needs your res-
cue so badly.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 9
Simone Biles
written by Chris Clark, age 16, junior sport columnist
photo credit: Associated Press
S
imone Biles was born March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. She
moved to Spring, Texas, near Houston, when she was very
little and was adopted by her grandparents, along with her
sister, Adria. Simone Biles first found out about gymnastics when she
was six years old on a daycare field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastics, im-
mediately fell in love with the sport, and started to pursue it. Simone
would end up staying at Bannon’s Gymnastics for the next 11 years,
under coach Aimee Boorman. When Simone was 13, she competed
in the Junior Olympics and ended up taking a gold in floor, as well as
picking up an additional bronze. This strong performance in 2010 led
her to transition to the next level in 2011, and just two years later, she
dominated the sport.
Over the course of the next four years, Simone would domi-
nate the sport altogether. In 2013, she won her first all-around world
title, finishing with gold in the floor competition, as well as a silver
and bronze in two others. Her 2013 title made her the first ever Afri-
can-American champion, and shattered the glass ceiling. It only went
up from there. In 2014, she won an astonishing four gold medals in
the World Championships. In 2015, she completed the hat trick and
won the world title, once again finishing with two golds, a silver and
a bronze.
In the 2012 London Olympics, Simon Biles was too young to
compete, being only 15 years old. But following three World Cham-
pionships, she was the heavy favorite in the 2016 Olympics, and she
more than lived up to that hype. She finished with a mind blowing
four Olympic gold medals, making her one of four females ever to do
so. She also won a bronze medal, making her total Olympic medal
count five. After the games, she stepped away from the sport. She
was mistreated by a former doctor who was sent to jail. She even-
tually came back to the sport in 2018. That very year, she came back
better than ever. She won all five events in the national competition,
making her the first person to do that in nearly 25 years. She also be-
came the first person to ever win five titles.
So what now? Simone Biles prepared for the 2021 games in
Tokyo, Japan. She hoped to return to fame and win more gold med-
als and represent the U.S.A., in both the team and individual events.
The standards are set and the expectations are high, but it seems as
though nothing is too difficult for the great Simone Biles.
Editor’s note: At one point, Simone Biles said she suffered with “the
twisties”, a condition where one “literally cannot tell up from down,” raising seri-
ous doubts about whether she would be able compete in her individual events
at the Tokyo Olympics.
Ms. Biles pulled out of the team all-around final after struggling on her
first routine, then withdrawing ahead of the individual all-around final to focus
on her mental health. However, Simone Biles has won bronze in the women’s
balance beam final after pulling out of other events at the Tokyo Olympics, cit-
ing mental health issues.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 10
OPEN EVERY DAY
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Grocery
• Fresh Produce
• Prime Meats & Seafood
• Deli ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 716 Springs-Fireplace Road
• Bakery & Barista
Springs, NY 11937
631-324-9500
631-604-6344
74 Montauk Highway, East Hampton, NY
HARBOR PETS
• Grooming-Pet Boutique - Foods - Toys
• Natural & Specialty Dog and Cat Foods
• Healthy Treats
• Small Pet, Fish and Bird Supplies
• Tropical Fish
10% OFF with this Ad
Serving Pet Owners For Over 40 Years
HarborPets.net
12 Bay Street - Sag Harbor
631-725-9070The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 11
Bring in this ad for a FREE Glow Stick!The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 12
The most common injuries are from boat strikes, en-
tanglement and cold stunning. If you find an injured or sick
turtle, wait for one of their staff to come and rescue it. Ma-
rine Rescue Director, Maxine Montello, says “The ultimate
goal is to release these animals back to the wild.”
The New York Marine Rescue Center is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the preservation of marine mam-
mals and sea turtles. If you would like to support them, go
to their website and learn more about these beautiful en-
dangered animals at www.nymarinerescue.org. What they
do is give these animals a second chance.
The New York Marine Rescue Center
written by Eric Wald
photo courtesy of the New York Marine Rescue Center
C
elebrating its 25th year located in Riverhead, New
York, behind the Long Island Aquarium, the New
York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) is the only fa-
cility in New York State permitted to rehabilitate sea turtles
and seals.
The Rescue Center has just released 12 sea turtles this
past July at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays; they are down to
11 turtles at the NYMRC. There are three different sea tur-
tle species at the Center NYMRC currently; Kemp’s Ridley,
green and loggerhead turtles. If one finds an injured turtle,
one can call the NYS 24-hour hotline at 631-369-9829.
Remembering Lew and Dotty Wald
written by Eric Wald, an excerpt from “Silent Prayers”
L
ove means much more to me than just
words. My grandparents were warm
good people. They never hurt anyone.
They were different from the crowd, for they
loved from their hearts. To me, they were as
genuine as tears which come from good-
ness. They were as honest as the prayers and
promises you make to yourself in your deep-
est prayers, for they were there to reach out to
hold as strong as you can embrace.
Love means more to those who feel with
their tears, for those who truly believe that
they can find strength in the kindness and
goodness in the world.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 13
edge near the middle of the body with both hands (with the exception of
snapping turtles, which are covered later). It is very important to maintain
the direction that the turtle was heading. If you bring it back to the side of
the road it was originally on, instead of the side of the road in the direction
Turtle Jokes
written and illustrated by Greg Bullock
it was headed, it’s very likely it will soon try to cross the road again.
While you may think it’s better to bring aquatic turtles back to a
nearby pond, always put them in the direction they are headed. They al-
most always know where they are going and have a reason, and they will
likely just try to cross the road again if this is done. Try to place the turtle
What speed did the turtle drive his car?
at least 20 feet from the roadway, if possible, to prevent it from going back
Slow and low!
toward the road, as it can become startled from being handled and get
disoriented.
Why did the turtle go to a psychiatrist?
If you find a common snapping turtle, do not pick it up with your
He was acting withdrawn.
hands; they have long necks that can reach back and bite with their very
powerful jaws, doing a lot of damage. As tempting as it may be, never pick
Where did the homeless turtle live?
In a shell-ter. (Shelter.)
up any turtle by its tail to move it, as this will injure the turtle. Common
snapping turtles can get very large and may be too heavy to pick up safely;
There once was a turtle named Myrtle, in this case, you can use a car floor mat, a towel, a shovel, piece of wood, or
who was the world’s fastest turtle. anything else you can gently get the turtle onto, and then take it across the road.
When a rabbit ran alongside, If you come across a turtle that is visibly damaged or seems in-
She said, “Need a ride?” jured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator such as Turtle Rescue of the
“I’m Myrtle, the world’s fastest turtle!” (See cartoon.) Hamptons (631-779-3737).
What did the turtle wear in winter?
A turtleneck sweater.
What did one turtle say to the other turtle?
“Don’t shut me out!”
How did the turtle know someone was at the door?
They rang the shell bell!
Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?
by Paul King III,
South Fork Natural Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
photo courtesy of SOFO
W
hen the weather warms up and spring approaches, wildlife is
back on the move. The turtles wake up from their winter rest
and begin to return to their mobile lives. But why are they so of-
ten seen crossing the road? The answer could be for a number of reasons.
Turtles start to search for new territories, food, or opportunities to
breed during that time of year. It’s also the time of year when female tur-
tles search for nesting grounds to lay their eggs. The most common turtle
you will likely encounter is the Eastern Box Turtle, easily distinguished by
its bright yellow color. Even aquatic turtles like diamondback terrapins and
snapping turtles will cross roads to find a good area for their nest.
If you see a turtle on the road, there are some things you can do
to help it safely avoid trouble. First, you should always consider your own
safety when stopping to check out a turtle in the road. Make sure you pull
off to the side of the road and put your hazards on to alert other drivers.
Always be aware of traffic and your surroundings.
While you may want to pick up the turtle to examine it, it’s best
to avoid handling it if possible to avoid disrupting its normal behavior. If
there’s no oncoming traffic and it’s a rather quiet road, try to observe from
a distance and allow the turtle to cross without assistance. If you get too
close, you may startle the turtle and it may retreat and hide in its shell.
If a turtle is startled or is located on a busy road with traffic, then it
may be necessary to move the turtle. To do this, very gently grasp the shellThe Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 14
Dear Ms. Spiral Notebook
Dear Ms. Spiral Notebook,
This previous school year was one of challenges. I want
to assist my child in setting their morning in a positive mind-
set. Suggestions?
Mindfulness is a perfect approach. This free app https://
www.moshikids.com/about/ is perfect for young children.
Starting the day with a pause and time to set an intention is
not only helpful for adults, but children as well. You can also
implement this approach when your child comes home from
school and shifts from one environment to another.
Dear Ms. Spiral Notebook,
My child is starting a new school after the school year
begins. I know this might be difficult because of the new rou-
tine, finding new friends and new settings. How can I assist?
I would place a call to the district to see if you could have
a meet-and-greet with the class. This can be a great way to take
out the unknown about what the classroom will look like, what
the teacher is like, and maybe the teacher could establish your
child with a buddy to take themon a tour.
Dear Ms. Spiral Notebook,
What are some educational online magazines for
young adults? I want to encourage my child to read more, but
want a mix of education and enjoyment.
There is a magazine titled The Week Junior, which is
aimed at eight-to14-year-olds. (The Waldo Tribune can also be
read online: https://uploads.documents.cimpress.io/v1/uploads/
bbde1882-f308-4bc9-8ff7-04b2df6b229b~110/original?ten-
ant=vbu-digital - Editor). There are interviews and a current
events section. I agree that to increase reading, you need to be-
gin with high interest. Be sure to engage with your child after
they read an article to continue the conversation and perhaps
lead to your child inquiring more about a topic. Check out this
website:
https://theweekjunior.com/in-the-magazine.
PARENTS AND TEACHERS: Have a question about
your child’s or student’s education or learning? You may
contact Ms. Spiral Notebook at waldoandtulip@opton-
line.net, with “Ms. Spiral Notebook” in the subject line.
You may also fax your question to us at 631-808-3248, or
mail it to her c/o The Waldo Tribune, P.O. Box 2587, Sag
Harbor, NY 11963.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 15
The Origin of Turtles
written by Paula Timpson
photo courtesy of South Fork Natural History Museum
I
magine turtles living before dinosaurs, and then with
them. Amazing. Turtles began in the Triassic period, 230
million years ago. The earliest known turtle was a Euno-
tosaurus from Germany. It lived in the Permian Period,
30 million years before the first dinosaur. 210 million years ago
came along the first turtle with a shell on its back. Today, tur-
tles are toothless. But in ancient days, they had teeth. Turtles are
one of the oldest living reptiles. Turtles live around the world in
all types of climate, except in Antarctica. Turtles can hide their
heads and feet inside their shells. A turtle’s shell is made up of 6o
bones covered by plates called scutes. Scutes are made of kera-
tin, which is the same material humans’ fingernails are made of.
Turtles have one of the longest life spans in the animal
kingdom. Larger turtles can live to be hundreds of years old.
Pet turtles can live anywhere between 10 and 80 years. Turtles
come in all shapes and sizes. There are 356 different kinds of tur-
tles. They are amazing creatures.
Slow and steady wins the race. Turtles may be slow; that
enhances their long lives. A main difference between tortoises
and turtles is tortoises live on land while turtles live in or near
water. Most turtles eat fish and small mammals near the water,
while some are vegetarians and eat only leafy greens and fruits.
All turtles lay their eggs on land, and they do not nurture their
young. When baby turtles are hatched, they are on their own.
A turtle’s gender is made by the temperature. Warmer air
makes females, while cooler air makes males. If the temperature
changes, it makes a mix of male and female babies. Sea turtles
have built-in maps. They are wonderful at finding direction, so
much so that they all can find their way back to the exact place
where they were born by being in tune with the magnetic field
of the earth.
Turtles can see underwater. They see a wide variety of
colors. Sea turtles cannot see too well on land. The oldest tur-
tle is Jonathan, a 189-year-old giant tortoise turtle living on the
island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, which has been his
home since the 1880s.
Six out of seven species of turtles are endangered be-
cause of human activity. Thousands each year become trapped
in fishing nets, fall victim to pollution, including plastic garbage,
and in some parts of the world, they are killed for their eggs, for
food and shells. Sad but true.
We need to watch after turtles and take care of them as
best we can, to be sure they are safe and happy, so future gener-
ations can enjoy turtles too!The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 16
Village Paw
Dog & Cat Food
Toys, Treats & More A red-tailed hawk receives caring treatment at The Wildlife Center.
Small Pets’ Supplies The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife
621 Hampton Road
Center of the Hamptons
written by Debbie Tuma
Southampton, NY photo courtesy of the Evelyn Alexander WIldlife Center of the Hamptons
11968
Hey Kids! Did you know there is a place in Hampton Bays that
631-287-6001 helps injured animals, reptiles, birds and other species, and then
when they get better, releases them back into the wild?
It is called the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center of the Hamp-
tons, and it was the first center of its kind, that started back in 2000.
The founder was Ginnie Frati of Sag Harbor, and she got the idea when
she found an injured woodchuck that got hit by a car. She stopped to
help it, and she called so many veterinarians, but it was hard to find
someone who could run out and help the animal before it died. Since
Ginnie loved wild animals, she decided there had to be a way to help
For Prompt Service, Call
them when they got in trouble.
B & B AUTO SERVICE
It took Ginnie and her partner, Jim Hunter, 10 years to create
the wonderful Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons, which they
named after one of their many supporters, Evelyn Alexander. This
SPECIALIZING IN non-profit center sits in a large wooded area near Macy’s in Hampton
COMPLETE FOREIGN & DOMESTIC REPAIRS Bays. It has a hospital with a staff of veterinarians, animal rehabilita-
tors, volunteers and administrators....and their goal is to bring these
• OIL CHANGES creatures back to life and release them back into nature.
• TUNE-UPS Over the years, they have rescued and rehabilitated many tur-
• BRAKES tles, but in 2012, one of their workers, Karen Testa, decided to start her
• TIRES own Turtle Rescue organization, called “Turtle Rescue of the Hamp-
• 3D LASER ALIGNMENTS tons,” which is located in Jamesport on the North Fork.
• NYS INSPECTIONS When people bring injured turtles to the Wildlife Rescue Cen-
• AIR CONDITIONING ter, Ginnie Frati said they give them first aid, and then transfer them to
• MUFFLERS the Turtle Rescue Center of the Hamptons. These two organizations
• SHOCKS work together to help save these turtles, which are threatened spe-
• BATTERIES cies. Ginnie Frati said most turtles live to 40-50 years old, but unfortu-
• TRANSMISSIONS nately, they are dying off due to cars, development and loss of their
• COMPUTER BALANCING natural habitat. Many of the turtles in the Hamptons are Box Turtles.
• TRUCK REPAIRS - 4X4 Ms. Frati said, “If you see a box turtle crossing the road, stop
and gently pick it up and take it to the side where it is going. They
24-Hour won’t bite you.” This will help them to not get hit by an oncoming car.
Beach Towing You can come to the Wildlife Rescue Center and see their out-
door cages of birds of prey — great horned owl, turkey vulture, red-
www.bnbautoservice.com tailed hawk, and long-eared owl.
144 Hampton Street But the animals that are being rehabilitated are not on display,
(behind Gulf Station) because they will be returned to the wild. This center has volunteers,
24-Hour Route 114 and exists through donations. ATTENTION GROWNUPS: They will hold
Flatbed Towing Sag Harbor, NY 11963 a fundraiser wine and cheese event at a local vineyard in the fall.
For more information, visit their website at www.wildliferes-
631-668-1195 cuecenter.org.
If you find an injured animal, bird, or reptile, call their hotline
Your Safety is Our TOP Priority! at 631-728-WILD. Located at 228 West Montauk Highway, Hampton
Bays, their office number is 631-728-4200.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 17
A Diamond In The Rough
written by Paul King III, South Fork Natural History (SOFO) Museum Environmental Educator
photo courtesy of SOFO
W
hen temperatures warm in the spring, the Diamondback where the shell drags along the sand. The turtles will often use the
Terrapin, (Malaclemys terrapin), our unique brackish-wa- man-made paths to reach their destinations, but once they lay and
ter turtle, emerges from its winter rest. Early in June, ma- cover their eggs, it is almost impossible to know the nest’s location.
ture females come out of the water to look for suitable nesting areas. While you can’t see an occupied nest, you’re likely to see a pre-
They look for somewhere sandy, usually a spot in the dunes, above dated nest. Ripped up eggshells, up to about 20 per nest, as well as a
the highest tide, so that their eggs do not get washed away into the dug-out hole, are common all over the dunes. The likely culprits are
bay. In late spring you can walk on the beach and, if you look careful- raccoons or foxes. The lucky three percent of nests that survive usu-
ly, you’ll spot their tracks heading up into the dunes. The tracks are ally hatch later in the summer, in August or September. The eggs that
very distinct, a swooping “J” print, with a flat spot between the tracks were laid later in the season will overwinter and the newly hatched
turtles will emerge next spring.
Once they hatch, it is a bit mysterious what these tiny turtles
do. At first it was thought that they head straight for the water. But
when released hatchlings were placed on the shoreline, they ran back
up toward the dune. Many are observed staying in the wrack line for
up to a few years until they are ready to begin their fully aquatic lives.
These hatchlings will face many threats, and few will make it to breed-
ing age. Terrapins suffer from increased coastal development, injuries
from boat propellers, drowning in commercial crab traps, and fall vic-
tim to the illegal pet trade. While many states have strict protections,
and have terrapins marked as endangered or threatened, New York
has taken much longer to act. In just 2017, New York State made it il-
legal for diamondback terrapins to be taken out of the wild to be sold.
Next time you visit one of our bays, keep an eye out for these
elusive turtles. Their presence is an indication of a healthy salt marsh,
and it is vital to these turtles that we keep our waters as clean as pos-
sible.The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 18
Letter From Waldo
Dear Readers,
Buf Meyer, my stepsister, is a grandmother for the first time, to
a beautiful, beautiful baby boy named Jude. Jude is our great neph-
ew, who weighed in at seven pounds and nine ounces at birth. His
mother, our niece, Sarah, is a creative, brilliant, loving, wonderful
mother, and loves her son with all her might. His father, Oleg, is a
terrific father, and loves to hold and kiss this amazing little boy who
is a beautiful child. We here at The Waldo Tribune are as excited as we
could be and wish this happy family love beyond words.
Most sincerely,
Eric and Susan Wald
Answers to the Save the Turtle Issue Puzzles (Turn upside down to see.)The Waldo Tribune September/October 2021 page 19
MORE TURTLE PUZZLES
.
.
.You can also read
