Helmer's farm is nesting ground for turtles
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Kansas farms are known for producing crops and livestock, but the farm of Gary and Beverly Helmer also produces water turtles.
Gary has lived on the farm at 1762 Limestone Road for more than 40 years. Without fail every spring, several adult turtles make their way one quarter of a mile from a nearby creek to deposit their eggs along the driveway, in the lawn, or near the farmstead.
Gary didn't make much of it until he married Beverly five years ago. She took an interest in the process and observed the turtles at work.
Beverly said the large, female turtle (about the size of a dinner plate) first urinates on the ground to soften it, then uses the long claws on her hind feet to dig a hole.
She lays one egg at a time, patting each down as it is laid. She then fills the hole with dirt and pulls grass over it to conceal it. She leaves and does not return.
"The next day, you can't find the spot," Beverly said.
The eggs are incubated by the warmth of the sun, and the baby turtles normally hatch in 60 days. They live on their egg shells until conditions are right for them to claw their way to the surface, where they instinctively head for water.
They have green shells. The undersides are cream-colored and imprinted with an artistic design.
Last summer, the Helmers started marking the nesting spots, placing small rocks around them. They also marked their calendar to indicate expected hatching dates.
After the turtles hatched, Gary opened the hole and Beverly removed them. They gave some to Rod Just to keep in his fifth grade classroom at Hillsboro Elementary School. Some went to parents with children and others were turned loose at the creek.
The baby turtles are kept in shallow water and given a resting place such as sand, a board, or a rock. Beverly feeds them dog food, bits of hamburger, and pieces of lettuce.
This year, the couple marked five nesting spots. Because of a cool June, the first batch (called a clutch) hatched later than usual. The hole contained approximately 16 teaspoon-size turtles which were eagerly claimed by grandchildren and friends.
"I just think it is so fascinating. I've never seen anything like this before," Beverly said.
Several teachers have requested turtles again this year. The Helmers were expecting another hatch Sunday.
According to World Book encyclopedia, turtles are the only reptiles with a shell. They are cold-blooded and can't be active in cold water.
Turtles have a well-developed sense of sight and touch and a good sense of smell. They can hear low-pitched sounds about as well as humans.
Not many baby turtles survive. Even before they hatch, skunks, raccoons and snakes often dig up nests and eat the eggs. Birds, mammals, and fish eat the baby turtles.
Turtles that survive the baby stage often have a long life. Freshwater turtles do most of their growth in the first 5-10 years. Some grow to one foot in length.
They have no teeth but the edges of their jaws are horny and are used to chop food. They eat animal and plant material.
During the winter, turtles hibernate by burrowing into the warm, muddy bottom of a body of water. During hot, dry periods, some go into a state of limited activity.
Tortoises are turtles which live only on land.
