Reptiles

Please Note:

Do not handle or go near wildlife, for your safety and theirs!
The time of year is important to consider when monitoring. Note the active season for each species.
If you are unsure of how to identify a sighting, contact the host organization or review the provided resources before you submit data.
Note that certain surveys require a type of training to participate.
Rescue information is provided for certain species if found injured or distressed.

If you would like to use data from the wildlife monitoring surveys for school projects or other purposes, please reach out to the host of the survey to gain permission to use.

Diamondback Terrapin Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
Seatuck Environmental Association
Peconic Estuary Partnership

Resources/Information:
Overview

Training:
Not required but encouraged
– Training Workshop

Localized Projects:
Jamaica Bay Terrapin Project
Friends of Flax Pond Terrapin Project

Rescue Contact:
– Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons (631) 779–3737
– Volunteers for Wildlife (516) 674–0982

Active Season:
Nesting females (late May-early August). Hatchlings (July-October before cold temperatures). Overwintered hatchlings (start of warm temperatures in spring)

Habitat:
Bay beaches
Wetlands
Brackish water

Survey Contact:
staff@seatuck.org

Sea Turtle Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
– Atlantic Marine Conservation Society
– Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island
– New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

Resources:
Sea turtles species include Kemp’s Ridley, Green, Loggerhead and Leatherback Sea Turtle. Vessel strike, entanglement and marine debris are leading causes of mortality for these animals during the summer months. The fall is the time of year when Kemp’s, Green and Loggerhead sea turtles can become cold stunned (hypothermic). Sea turtles become cold stunned (hypothermic) when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees.

Stay at least 50 yards away from marine mammals and sea turtles to report sightings of healthy or sick animals.

Training:
Not required, but encouraged
https://www.amseas.org/events

Active Season:
Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback and the threatened Loggerhead and Green sea turtles are observed during the summer and fall in the waters around New York. Sea turtle sightings begin when water temperatures increase in early summer (mid-June) through fall (October).

Habitat:
Atlantic Ocean and bays and estuaries around Long Island

Survey Contact:
– AMSEAS Survey Contact Sightings@amseas.org

– NYSDEC Survey Contact MarineProtectedResources@dec.ny.gov

Rescue Contact:
If you see a stranded or entangled sea turtle immediately call the NYS Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at (631) 369-9829