Examined, cleared, and marked

The diamond-back terrapins were given a medical exam to see if they were considered “fit” for their return to the wild ( Diamondback Terrapin Release! June 25, 2009 ) and I’m happy to report all four terrapins passed with flying colors.  Permanent identification is critical with all the animals we release, and these little turtles are no exception.  Under a local anesthesia I identified each terrapin with a unique code of marginal scute notches using a high speed veterinary dental drill.  Let’s hope we run into them again many years in the future while they are out nesting and helping to replenish the population.

Marginal Scute Notching

The terrapin is now ready to go.  Go luck !