Rare Turtle Hatchlings At The Tennessee Aquarium

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - by Thom L. Benson

Tennessee Aquarium herpetologists have been quite busy recently caring for some new baby turtles.

Six red-necked pond turtles, Mauremys nigricans, hatched recently from eggs that were laid in the Asian River exhibit about two months ago. The adults are currently on display in that display. The Tennessee Aquarium is currently the only U.S. zoo working with this species, which is considered endangered in the wild in its native China.

Three yellow-blotched map turtles, Graptemys flavimaculata, also hatched recently. This species is classified as Threatened by the Endangered Species Act. Some of the babies from last year are on display in the nursery tanks in Turtle World gallery. Some older animals can be seen in the Pascagoula exhibit in Discovery Hall which is located inside the Aquarium's River Journey building.

Newly-hatched turtle babies like these still have their egg tooth which they use to break out of the eggshell. It's the white, pointed object in the close-up images below the turtle's nostrils.

Visit the Tennessee Aquarium to see one of the world's largest living collections of turtle species. You'll be amazed by the beauty of these creatures.


Chattanooga Featured In Where To Retire Magazine

Chattanooga has been selected by Where to Retire, the only magazine in America geared toward helping people with retirement relocation decisions, as a top retirement destination and will be profiled in the feature story “8 Terrific Towns for History Lovers.” The March/April 2012 issue will be available nationwide on February 21, 2012. Where to Retire editor Mary Lu Abbott said ... (click for more)

91st Annual Thomasville, Ga., Rose Show And Parade Is April 26-28

Celebrating 91 years, the Annual Thomasville Rose Show and Festival blooms April 26-28. A Southwest Georgia tradition since the 1920s, the free family-friendly Festival encompasses the Rose Show, which presents contemporary and heirloom roses against a backdrop budding with thousands of the blooms; the Rose Parade, known for its rose carpet and flowery floats; the Street Dance, ... (click for more)

Man Tells Police He Just Murdered His Wife

An Chattanooga man told police Monday night that he had just murdered his wife.  Police said Robert Lee Hardnett, 50. showed up at the County Jail to turn himself in at 8:40 p.m. He said his wife's body could be found at his place of employment, Power Supply Company, 1907 Daisy St.   Officers responded to that address and found the body of 34-year-old Elizabeth ... (click for more)

Red Bank Commissioners Choose Kenneth Welch To Replace Greg Jones; Jeno Won't Run Again

The four remaining members of the Red Bank Commission held a special called meeting on Tuesday and chose Kenneth Welch as the replacement for Vice Mayor Greg Jones, who moved to Alaska. At the same meeting, Commissioner Ruth Jeno announced she will not seek a new term. She urged the candidates who were not selected - Michael Tindle and Eddie Pierce - to run in the next election. ... (click for more)

Thoughts On The Mathews Sentencing

It is not by coincidence I haven’t submitted an opinion piece in some time to the Chattanoogan.  The topics I cover are generally vitriolic in regards to local political decisions and their makers regarding public safety and I do not wish to associate my name with more noble subjects such as that of the heroic death and cowardly murder of Chattanooga Police Sergeant Tim Chapin, ... (click for more)

Thank You, Judge Mattice And Chattanooga

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)