North Carolina Aquarium News
Q. I saw eight turtles lined up on a log in a swampy pond beside the highway outside of Wilson, N.C. Any idea what kind they were?
A. We’d put our money on yellowbelly sliders (Chrysemys scripta). Of the 24 species of turtles native to the Carolinas and Virginia, sliders win the basking prize, hands down.
These abundant turtles are named for their bright yellow undersides. The “slider” moniker is earned for their quick disappearance into the water when they detect the slightest movement.
Yellowbellies have no external ears or vocal cords, but their vision is keen. They are sensitive to vibrations on land or in water, and their markings vary, depending on home territory. One distinguishing characteristic for identification is the large, yellow vertical spot behind the eye that links a pair of yellow stripes on each side of the neck.
» Full Story | N.C. Aquarium @ Fort Fisher - November 13, 2007
N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher adds quail to collection
In 2002, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher added the Cape Fear Conservatory exhibit to give visitors the first-hand experience of walking through one of the state’s many forests. As a way to enhance that experience, the aquarium has begun incorporating species of native birds to the Conservatory.
“We felt that we needed to add something to the Conservatory to make it more natural,” said Aquarist Brian Germick.
In October, the animal husbandry department released the flock of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) into the Conservatory. The dozen quail, donated by Claude McAllister of the Seven Oaks Game Farm in Wilmington, add sound and movement to the Conservatory, according to Germick. The addition of the quail follows the successful introduction ducks to the building in September. The aquarium also has plans to introduce songbirds alongside the ducks and quail.
» Full Story | N.C. Aquarium @ Fort Fisher - November 2, 2007
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