Name: Sandcastle (Sandy)

Owned by: Ms. Fragano

Species: Three-Toed Box Turtle  

Age: 30s (just like with Riptide, you can see how old she is by counting the growth rings on her scutes… unfortunately, the older they are the harder it is to tell!)

The three-toed box turtle enjoys living in moist, temperate environments across the South-Central US, including Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Texas. They prefer habitats with high humidity, such as forested areas, woodland edges, grasslands, meadows, and pastures near shallow water sources like streams, ponds, or swamps. 

Our turtle Sandcastle lives in her tank, which consists of a blacked out corner for privacy, a fake log to hide in, a small decorative plant, her food plate, and a small swimming pool. Sandy sometimes likes to redecorate her tank by pushing the plant around. She mostly resides and sleeps in her corner. Three-toed box turtles need 10-12 hours of sleep at night. Sandy’s favorite food is green grapes. Although she doesn't eat very often, sometimes you can catch a glimpse of her chewing. She also enjoys eating her box turtle food blend, which has vitamin-fortified pellets, mealworms, green peas, and strawberries.  

Sandy burrows herself in the woodchips in her tank, and sleeps more in the winter than in the summer. She doesn’t actually hibernate, unlike turtles in the wild because the temperature stays mostly the same in our classroom and at home. Her heat lamp that is in the corner above her ditch that she likes to sleep in, and it keeps her warm, so she doesn't need to hibernate.

Sandy is not usually very active, but when she is, she’s energetic. She loves traversing around her tank, showing her olive colors, her individuality, and her beauty to the class. 

Name: Riptide

Owned by: Mrs. Wesp

Species: Diamondback Terrapin Turtle 

Age: Approximately 8 months, (you can see how old a diamondback terrapin turtle is by counting the growth rings on their scutes)

Diamondback terrapin turtles thrive in a mix of fresh and saltwater coastal marshes. These turtles live in water environments that stretch all the way from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the US, spanning from Cape Cod to Texas. They enjoy places like salt marshes, lagoons, estuaries, tidal creeks, rivers, and mangrove swamps, (particularly in Florida.) These places are also exceptional nesting areas for female diamondback terrapins. Before they give birth they find dunes, sandy beaches, and places above a high-tide border to lay their eggs safely. 

Our turtle, Riptide, lives in his tank, which possesses 4 large rocks. He adores jumping off them. Also, he doesn’t hesitate to swim towards students when they greet him. Riptide loves to bask on his stacked rocks, and takes pleasure in opening his strong jaw while he’s doing it. When he becomes warm enough from his heat lamp, he plunges back into the water. In fact, diamondback terrapins are quite curious and social. This species of turtles actually gather together in the wild to bask in the warmth of the sun. 

Diamondback terrapin turtles eat snails, clams, crabs, and mussels in the wild. Until he is released on Sandy Neck Beach, he eats his “Delicious Green Turtle Food” pellets. 

Riptide is full of boundless energy, and explores his tank 24/7. He loves frolicking around his decorated tank and showing off his unique diamond patterned shell. His spirited vibe makes our class a paradise. We are grateful to have the opportunity to have him in our class. 

Dr. Anna Dunphy, Principal

adunphy@sandwich.k12.ma.us

Dr. Mary Kate Stevens, Assistant Principal (Grades 4 & 5)

mstevens@sandwich.k12.ma.us

Mr. Matthew MacLean, Assistant Principal (Grades 3 & 6)

mmaclean@sandwich.k12.ma.us