Over 800 Baby Terrapins Rescued from Storm Drains

Galloway Township, New Jersey -- GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, New Jersey- In the past couple of weeks the Vivarium Animal Lab at Stockton University has received hundreds of rescued terrapins. John Rokita who oversees the lab said it's the biggest population of terrapins they've ever taken care of with a total out of 1,112 terrapins to date. The majority are Diamondback terrapins.

This time of year is known for "Spring emergers." They are the hatchlings that hid underground from the winter temperatures. Many often end up in sewers and drains because its difficult for them to climb over curbs.

"We have some Good Samaritan's in Cape May and Atlantic county that have devised ways to fish them out and bring them to us," Rokita said.

The terrapins spend close to a year at Stockton until they grow large enough to ward off predators like crabs and crows.

"The end result is to see them at that 3-4 inch stage getting ready to be released," Rokita said.

But some of the larger terrapins will remain at Stockton permanently because they don't have the survivor skills to make it in the wild.

Currently the lab is at max capacity. Rokita encourages any one who finds a hatchling to make sure it's healthy and then advises people release them at dusk, so they can find a hiding place from predators. He also said its best for them to be in either a tidal creek or bay where there is a mix of fresh and saltwater.