How to Measure and Record Data for

Turtles

By: Chrystal Bobe and Gabriela Ortiz

Step 1: Catching turtlesSee “How to: Pitfall”

If your not sure what species it is, look it up!

Step 2a: Weighing turtle

• Get a container accordingly to the size of your turtle and a scale.

Step 2b: Set the Scale to Zero

We do this so that the weight is solely of the turtle, and does not include the weight of the container.

Step 2c: Place the turtle in the container.

Step 2d: Record the weight in grams

Note: turtles may be moving around a lot so record the number that shows up most.

Step 3: Measuring length

Step 4: Measuring depth

Step 5: Measuring width

Step 6: Take Pictures!

Take lots of pictures, especially ones that can distinguish one creature from another, such as the lines on this painted turtles neck.

A top view like this can show the unique patterns on the backs of a turtle.

A side view.

Dorsal view-they don’t like this very much!

Step 7: Tagging the turtle

Choose a spot to tag the turtle.

Step 7

Then file a groove into the shell of the turtle. It doesn’t hurt the turtles; it just feels like filing a fingernail.

Make sure to write everything down as it is happening; you don’t want to miss anything or record the wrong thing.

When you are done, release the turtle back into its original habitat!