• A m p h i b i a n F o u n d a t i o n

    A m p h i b i a n
    F o u n d a t i o n

    Turtle Ecology Research
  • 1

Adopt-a-Turtle and Support Diversity in Science!

100% of the adoption funds support Conservation Research Bridge Program scholarships through the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Fund (**JEDI Fund).

This adoption program will help ensure the continuation of our long term AFTER project as well as recruit and support students who are people of color and from underserved groups in science.

See the turtles in our study below, make a selection for symbolic adoption and name your turtle!

Adopt-A-Turtle Sponsors will receive:

  • Naming rights for your turtle.

  • Regular updates of our turtle population studies from the Bridge Program student working on the AFTER project, including updates on your turtle, when recaptured.

  • Recognition of your support under your turtle’s photo on this page.

  • Shoutout on Instagram when your turtle is featured.

$100

Symbolic turtle adoptions cost $100 and all those funds will go towards a tuition scholarship for future Bridge Program students. Sponsorships last one year and annual renewals will be available to current sponsors before being offered to the public.

Turtle Adoption Kiosk

Turtle Adoption Kiosk
Length
Turtle's ID Number
Turtle's Adoptive Name

Eastern Box Turtle 101

Eastern Box Turtle 101
Adopted by Heirloom Home and Studio
ID number: Box101
Adoptive Name: Roxy
Species: Terrapene carolina
Date First Detected: 08/18/2020
Fun Fact: Likes watching butterflies in the garden

Eastern Box Turtle 102

Eastern Box Turtle 102
Adopted by Eileen Haneiko
ID number: Box102
Adoptive Name: Carl
Species: Terrapene carolina
Date First Detected: 09/28/2020
Fun Fact: He's a master of disguise and can hide in plain sight

Loggerhead Musk Turtle 101

Loggerhead Musk Turtle 101
Adopted by Holly Blanchard
ID number: LoggerheadMusk101
Adoptive Name: Larry
Species: Sternotherus minor
Date First Detected: 09/29/2020
Fun Fact: His best friend is a catfish and his favorite food is shellfish

River Cooter 101

River Cooter 101
Adopted by David Eslinger
ID number: RiverCooter101
Adoptive Name: Freddy K
Species: Pseudemys concinna
Date First Detected: 10/20/2020
Fun Fact: He was found trapped upside-down on his back after tumbling down the low-head dam

Musk Turtle 105

Musk Turtle 105
Adopted by Betty Hanacek
ID number: Musk105
Adoptive Name: Beauty
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 06/17/2020
Fun Fact: Losing her front left arm doesn't stop her from being a boss

Musk Turtle 125

Musk Turtle 125
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk125
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/06/2020
Fun Fact: Loves the way mud feels when it squishes between her toes

Musk Turtle 127

Musk Turtle 127
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk127
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/10/2020
Fun Fact: Very chipped back shell. Was found mating with #128 while #130 was watching from a foot away

Musk Turtle 131

Musk Turtle 131
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk131
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/12/2020
Fun Fact: Is a leader in the turtle community

Musk Turtle 133

Musk Turtle 133
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk133
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/18/2020
Fun Fact: Likes eating snails and going for short walks in shallow water

Musk Turtle 134

Musk Turtle 134
Adopted by Bobbie Todd
ID number: Musk134
Adoptive Name: Boxie
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/19/2020
Fun Fact: Is quiet but not shy

Musk Turtle 135

Musk Turtle 135
Adopted by Mary Yost-Daljev
ID number: Musk135
Adoptive Name: J Michael
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 08/21/2020
Fun Fact: Wants to bring the yodel back to country music

Musk Turtle 136

Musk Turtle 136
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk136
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 09/03/2020
Fun Fact: Can crawl out of a field pants pocket in a split second!

Musk Turtle 137

Musk Turtle 137
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk137
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 09/03/2020
Fun Fact: Is around 6 years old but only the size of a golfball

Musk Turtle 138

Musk Turtle 138
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk138
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 09/09/2020
Fun Fact: Can open up your Amazon boxes for you

Musk Turtle 139

Musk Turtle 139
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk139
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 09/09/2020
Fun Fact: Knows how to strike a sexy pose

Musk Turtle 140

Musk Turtle 140
Adopted by Barbara Marston
ID number: Musk140
Adoptive Name: Porthos
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 09/22/2020
Fun Fact: He believes a functional democracy requires everyone to vote

Musk Turtle 142

Musk Turtle 142
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk142
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/06/2020
Fun Fact: She has strong opinions and is a good judge of character

Musk Turtle 144

Musk Turtle 144
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk144
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/14/2020
Fun Fact: He loves the autumnal colors and the fragrant smell of fall in the air

Musk Turtle 145

Musk Turtle 145
Adopted by Barbara Marston
ID number: Musk145
Adoptive Name: Kim Petras
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/14/2020
Fun Fact: She's a turtle on the go and she's got places to be and turtles to see

Musk Turtle 147

Musk Turtle 147
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk147
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/15/2020
Fun Fact: He's curious, capable and self-aware

Musk Turtle 148

Musk Turtle 148
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Musk148
Adoptive Name:
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/21/2020
Fun Fact: He is the 100th turtle in our study!

Musk Turtle 149

Musk Turtle 149
Adopted by Barbara Marston
ID number: Musk149
Adoptive Name: Aramis
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/26/2020
Fun Fact: She's missing a foot but that didn't stop her from roaming around our parking lot

Musk Turtle 151

Musk Turtle 151
Adopted by Barbara Marston
ID number: Musk151
Adoptive Name: Athos
Species: Sternotherus odoratus
Date First Detected: 10/27/2020
Fun Fact: He was discovered trying to climb back up the concrete dam by our driveway

Eastern Painted Turtle 101

Eastern Painted Turtle 101
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Painted101
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chrysemys picta
Date First Detected: 07/22/2020
Fun Fact: Feels like slider turtles should practice social distancing even after the pandemic is over

Eastern Painted Turtle 102

Eastern Painted Turtle 102
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Painted102
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chrysemys picta
Date First Detected: 07/23/2020
Fun Fact: Missing most of her left front foot except her pinky.

Eastern Painted Turtle 103

Eastern Painted Turtle 103
Adopted by Sandra Garber
ID number: Painted103
Adoptive Name: Lady
Species: Chrysemys picta
Date First Detected: 10/27/2020
Fun Fact: After trying to catch her for months around Emma Wetland we trapped her in Mill Creek

Turtle Adoption Kiosk

Turtle Adoption Kiosk
Length
Turtle's ID Number
Turtle's Adoptive Name

Common Snapping Turtle 102

Common Snapping Turtle 102
Adopted by John Martin
ID number: Snapping102
Adoptive Name: Orly Skiffback
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 06/04/2020
Fun Fact: is about 25 years overdue for his pedicure appointment

Common Snapping Turtle 107

Common Snapping Turtle 107
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Snapping107
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 07/07/2020
Fun Fact: His personality has to be concentrated to fit inside his small shell

Common Snapping Turtle 109

Common Snapping Turtle 109
Adopted by Erin Shebish
ID number: Snapping109
Adoptive Name: 'Cheese Sandwich'
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 07/28/2019
Fun Fact: Has so many scars & battle wounds he reminds us of the grotesque Greek god Hephaestus

Common Snapping Turtle 111

Common Snapping Turtle 111
Adopted by Simple Liquidation solutions
ID number: Snapping111
Adoptive Name: Chonk
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 07/07/2020
Fun Fact: Wants to go to graduate school to study geography

Common Snapping Turtle 116

Common Snapping Turtle 116
Adopted by Beth Spires
ID number: Snapping116
Adoptive Name: Bitey McBiteyface
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 07/21/2020
Fun Fact: This youngster is afraid of thunder but bold with the lady turtles

Common Snapping Turtle 123

Common Snapping Turtle 123
Adopted by Bobbie Todd
ID number: Snapping123
Adoptive Name: Alan Jackson
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 07/31/2020
Fun Fact: He almost drowned during Hurricane Sally but recovered at Chattahoochee Nature Center

Common Snapping Turtle 124

Common Snapping Turtle 124
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Snapping124
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 08/12/2020
Fun Fact: Is looking for a new manicurist who doesn't mind getting bit

Common Snapping Turtle 125

Common Snapping Turtle 125
Adopted by Laura Wolfberg
ID number: Snapping125
Adoptive Name: Mr Prickles
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 08/13/2020
Fun Fact: Only lets his mom call him Pricklepuss

Common Snapping Turtle 126

Common Snapping Turtle 126
Adopted by Claire McWilliams
ID number: Snapping126
Adoptive Name: 'Little Claire'
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 05/12/2020
Fun Fact: Not a fan of cars

Common Snapping Turtle 127

Common Snapping Turtle 127
Adopted by Melissa Stauffer
ID number: Snapping127
Adoptive Name: 'Theodore'
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 08/18/2020
Fun Fact: Cracked his lower jaw but doesn't want to talk about it

Common Snapping Turtle 128

Common Snapping Turtle 128
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Snapping128
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 08/19/2020
Fun Fact: Doesn't have lips but is a great lip syncher

Common Snapping Turtle 129

Common Snapping Turtle 129
Adopted by Emma Murphy
ID number: Snapping129
Adoptive Name: 'Karma'
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 08/21/2020
Fun Fact: Enjoys hot yoga

Common Snapping Turtle 130

Common Snapping Turtle 130
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Snapping130
Adoptive Name:
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 09/23/2020
Fun Fact: Cracked his shell during Hurricane Sally in some kind of wild creek ride

Common Snapping Turtle 133

Common Snapping Turtle 133
Adopted by Abbigail Woodring
ID number: Snapping133
Adoptive Name: Sir Davie Attenborough
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 10/13/2020
Fun Fact: Voted most likely to be a party animal

Common Snapping Turtle 134

Common Snapping Turtle 134
Adopted by Harry Swartz-Turfle
ID number: Snapping134
Adoptive Name: Wilford
Species: Chelydra serpentina
Date First Detected: 10/13/2020
Fun Fact: Believes that his manners are more important than his looks

Yellow Bellied Slider 101

Yellow Bellied Slider 101
Adopted by Andrew Skinner
ID number: Slider101
Adoptive Name:Tally Skinner
Species: Trachemys scripta
Date First Detected: 05/29/20
Fun Fact: Likes to wander between small wetlands and visit her friends in the meadow

Yellow Bellied Slider 110

Yellow Bellied Slider 110
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Slider110
Adoptive Name:
Species: Trachemys scripta
Date First Detected: 09/02/2020
Fun Fact: He may be old but he's still got it!

Yellow Bellied Slider 111

Yellow Bellied Slider 111
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Slider111
Adoptive Name:
Species: Trachemys scripta
Date First Detected: 09/08/2020
Fun Fact: Understands French but chooses not to speak it

Yellow Bellied Slider 112

Yellow Bellied Slider 112
OPEN FOR ADOPTION
ID number: Slider112
Adoptive Name:
Species: Trachemys scripta
Date First Detected: 09/22/2020
Fun Fact: He really wants Turtle King to be a show

Turtle Adoption Kiosk

Turtle Adoption Kiosk
Length
Turtle's ID Number
Turtle's Adoptive Name

About the AFTER Program

Our research philosophy is to look after the turtles here and ensure their safe future. The first main goal of the project is to understand and protect the turtles living in the Blue Heron Nature Preserve (BHNP) by studying their demographics, sex ratios, seasonal habits, movement, interactions, and behavior.

We’ve already documented 81 unique individual turtles living in the preserve of five different species and we know there are many more out there!

Cute Box Turtle

The other main goal is to train students in the Conservation Research Bridge Program in wildlife biology and conservation. This long term field-based research project was started in 2019 through a collaborative grant between the BHNP and the Amphibian Foundation (AF). The project picked up steam in the summer of 2020 with the launch of our Conservation Research Bridge Program where the program's co-founder, Dr. Tobias Landberg, worked with our second Bridge Program student, Jack Martin.

The program now continues with the next wave of students taking over the study.
**Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Amphibian Foundation

To better serve our global community and our mission of connecting individuals, communities, and organizations in order to create and implement lasting solutions to the global amphibian extinction crisis, we have assembled a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (JEDI Comm) and associated JEDI Fund to increase inclusivity of underserved and under-represented groups in science, nature, and conservation. The JEDI Fund provides scholarships to Amphibian Foundation educational programs and training for ages 3 and up, while the committee works to advance inclusivity of underserved and under-represented groups in science.


Contribute to the JEDI Fund