Susie the Crimean River Turtle needs your help!

Susie, CSMB’s 35 year old resident Crimean river turtle was first observed yesterday around noon by one of CSMB’s vets to be seemingly engaged in the elaborate mating ritual unique to the species. This is the first time in Susie's life where she has exhibited any signs of being in heat launching a region-wide search by the CSMB to find her a suitable mate.

The mating ritual of the Crimean river turtle consists of a counter-clockwise side-shuffling dance whereupon the female systematically rubs her front dorsal flippers releasing her pheromones onto smooth rocks around her nest. In the wild, this dance is typically performed at dusk when ocean winds are the strongest and male Crimean River Turtles have been known to travel upwards of 30 miles to reach potential females should they catch scent.



Susie came under the CSMB’s care nearly 15 years ago after a cargo ship transporting her and other marine animals to the aquatic petting zoo Orlando Sea World was swept up in typhoon winds and had to dock in Boston harbor. Due to incorrectly prepared cages, many marine animals on the ship were severely injured. Rescuers from the CSMB were immediately dispatched to the area to aid the coast guard in helping injured marine animals. While Susie's shell was intact nearly a quarter of her back flipper had to be amputated after it became infected after getting caught in the metal doors of her cage; however, the biggest blow to Susie’s health was perhaps the death of her mate Bordlio.



Bordlio had sustained massive shell injuries and, although it was not evident to rescuers at the time, was bleeding internally. CSMB rescuers had bandaged the 19 year old male and was planning to transport him to CSMB’s Herpetology Center the following day; however, Bordlio passed away before the morning. Susie fell into a depression, refusing to eat and guarded Bordlio’s body with extreme aggression, charging at anyone who came near the cage. Finally to deter the rapid decline of her own health, CSMB was forced to tranquillize Susie and remove Bordlio’s carcass.

Afterwards, Susie was delivered to the Orlando Sea World petting zoo where she was introduced unsuccessfully to another male Crimean turtle named Zulu. Despite arriving at sexual maturity at that time (Crimean turtles typically begin mating at 10-20 years) Susie displayed little interest in her male lawn mate. Soon aquarium personnel began to notice her exhibiting dangerous behaviors toward Zulu as well as several other land turtles in the compound. Crimean river females tend to be roughly twice the size of males and 15 times the size of land turtles. Deemed a clear and present danger to the animals in the compound, Susie was put under the CSMB’s care.

Due to Susie’s aggression problems, she remains the only Crimean river turtle at CSMB; however a small but dedicated group of volunteers headed by resident herpetologist, Dr. Donald Langspur, have already begun contacting various zoos and animal refuges in the region to try to find her an eligible suitor. Time is of the essence as female Crimean river turtles come in heat about once every two years and for only the time span of roughly two weeks. If you have any information that may aid us in the search please email us at info@csmb.com.