Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Wyneken, Jeanette

Abstract

The calcium requirement in captive-raised hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) was investigated. Comparisons were made among turtles on 6 experimental diets and between captive and wild turtles. Diets consisted of trout chow diets containing 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% calcium and 1.65% phosphorous, AquaMax 500RTM (2% Ca), and shrimp. Feeding trials lasted 28 days and changes in body size and bone density were measured. The calcium and phosphorous content of foods eaten by post-hatchlings in the sargassum were compared with captive diets. Results showed that shrimp was high in protein and low in calcium, with nearly twice as much P as Ca. The growth trials showed that turtles fed shrimp versus all other diets grew larger. There was no difference in total bone density of any treatment over the study. No signs of hypocalcemia were present, therefore, no lower limit for calcium requirement was determined in this study.

Extent

71 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2000.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FADT12708

Format

pdf

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