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Chelonian Research Institute
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I visited the Institute last in 2005, in order to get some pictures of turtle shells and copies of papers I couldn't find at the University. It didn't occur to me to get pictures for a page on the CRI until about the time I was ready to leave. So I only have a few photos. I will add more pictures after making future trips. This will give you a taste of what is there, much like a picture of the Mona Lisa gives you a taste of what is in the Louvre. So not really any idea at all. I have visited the collection a few times in the years the Institute has been open and prior to that when it was located in Dr. Pritchard's home. Part curiosity cabinet, part museum, all of it pertaining to turtles. It is an active collection and every time I visit there is something, usually many things, new. The biggest change over the years is the addition of live animals. Dr. Pritchard has maintained live specimens in his collection, but with the addition of the Institute, he has the room and staff to keep larger numbers of turtles and tortoises. This isn't a captive breeding facility though. The main focus is providing turtle material and literature for study. I believe every species and most subspecies are represented as preserved specimens. Many species are well represented by turtles of both sexes, various sizes and origins. There is also an impressive collection of turtle skeletal remains with accompanying data (date collected, location collected, etc.). The literature collection is massive and well organized. Know the author, or the subject? Presto! Here is the paper. I have been fortunate enough to speak to Dr. Pritchard a number of times over the years and have always found him to be interesting, enthusiastic, and accessible to "turtle people" of all levels. Not something that can be said of all academics. I hope you enjoy the few pictures that are here now and check back later when there are more. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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I am 5'8" around 200 pounds and seated to the left of an Alligator Snapper shell and skull. Just to give you an idea of size. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Mixed in with the exhibits are items from around the world. |
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Painting of Meiolania. Some people wish they could go back in time and meet famous people. I would rather go back and see what fossils looked like when they were flesh and bone. |
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The main reason I came to the museum was to look at Florida turtle shells to compare bone shape and scute outline within species. I took well over 300 photos and barely scratched the surface of just the Florida species in the collection. Among the shells I found this. Some may find the term "redneck" offensive. Personally, I can think of more offensive descriptive words for the "individual" that shot this animal. This shell is over 30 years old, but the practice of shooting basking turtles is not gone, though it may have declined. I still hear of it happening and a few months back I saw, but was unable to capture, a turtle that had similar wounds to this one. |
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It appears to have been shot by someone standing over it. Entry wound is on the carapace and pretty much right above the exit point on the plastron. Not much of a challenge in the way of target shooting. A better test of marksmanship would have been for the shooter to attempt to hit the tiny collection of dangling bits in their pants. |
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Articles about Dr. Pritchard and the Chelonian Research Institute If you know of others pass them on to me. Time.com Heroes for the Planet |
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