Agenda - Council - 10/22/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, ~;~vironmental Review Fact Sheet Series ~ I[ Endangered, Threatened, ~nd Special Concern Species of Minnesota Protecting Blanding's Turtle Nests (See also Bl~nd~ng's Tn~tle Fact $1~eet} TURTLE NEST PREDATION Often, as many as 80% of ruffle nests can be lost to predators such as raccoon, skunk, fox, and opossum. Although predators may find and destroy nest~ at any point during the egg's development, most.predation on turtle nests occurs within 5 days 'after the eggs are laid, and especially during the first 48 hours.. As time passes, there is less scent associated with the nest, and it is more difficult for predators to locate the nest. HOW TO PREVENT NEST PREDATION Nests more than a week old probably do not need protection, unless they are in a particularly vulnerable spot, such as a yard where pets may disturb the nest. If you believe a nest on your property is in danger from predators or other disturbance, there are several methods you can use to protect the nest. These methods are designed either to. attempt [o prevent predators from digging up the nest, or to prevent predators from finding the nest. ONests can be covered with a piece of wire fencing (such as chicken wire), centered over the nest and secured to the ground with stakes or rocks.* The fencing should be at least 2 ft. × 2 ft. Mesh openings should be about 2 in. x 2 in.** Photo by Paul Scb. lick Photo by Carol Hall @A covered cylindrical or cone-shaped cag~ can be. centered over the nest and anchored with hooked stakes*. Take great care to avoid piercing the nest cavity with the stakes!~ The cage should be at. least 20 in. across and 10 in. high. Mesh openings should be about 2 in. x 2 in.** The wire fenc/ng and cages can be removed, if desired, after 30 days, as the likelihood is remote that the nest will be found by a predator this long after laying. All fencing around and over a nest must be removed before Aucust t"' so the young turtles can escape from the nest when they hatch! *Wire should be fastened down very securely with heavy rocks or long (8 -10 in.) stakes, to prevent predators t¥orn pulling [t up. ** Mesh size should not be much larger than 2 in. x 2 in.. as predators can reach through larger mesh and dig to the nest. -362- I I I I I I I I