The unassuming diamondback terrapin turtle (Malaclemys terrapin) caused havoc this past weekend when over 150 individuals left their salt marsh breeding grounds and steadily traversed New York’s JFK airport runways, causing runway closures and delayed flights, in order to lay their eggs in sandier environments on the other side. In the next few months many more of the region’s approximated 10,000 turtles could also unwittingly (and unhurriedly) make the dangerous journey. The airport is considering options to divert the turtles away from the runway, such as temporary plastic barriers. Unfortunately, slow and steady isn’t going to win the race if you become the speed-bump for a jumbo jet somewhere in the middle.Ref: Reardon S. (2011) Why JFK’s Runway Has Turtles All The Way Down. Science Online news [link] 

The unassuming diamondback terrapin turtle (Malaclemys terrapin) caused havoc this past weekend when over 150 individuals left their salt marsh breeding grounds and steadily traversed New York’s JFK airport runways, causing runway closures and delayed flights, in order to lay their eggs in sandier environments on the other side. In the next few months many more of the region’s approximated 10,000 turtles could also unwittingly (and unhurriedly) make the dangerous journey. The airport is considering options to divert the turtles away from the runway, such as temporary plastic barriers. Unfortunately, slow and steady isn’t going to win the race if you become the speed-bump for a jumbo jet somewhere in the middle.

Ref: Reardon S. (2011) Why JFK’s Runway Has Turtles All The Way Down. Science Online news [link] 

Source: Flickr / braindamaged217

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