Today we're learning everything we can about HORSESHOE CRABS! Horseshoe crabs have been around for more than 300 million years, making them even older than dinosaurs. They look like prehistoric crabs but are actually more closely related to scorpions and spiders.

Tybee Island Marine Science Center Educator Frank Wooldridge is with us on this episode to talk about these living fossils.

Some interesting facts you'll hear in this episode: The body of a horseshoe crab is divided into three parts: the prosoma, opisthosoma and telson, or tail. The prosoma is the front, semicircular part and the opisthosoma, which protects the gills, is attached to the prosoma with a hinge. The top of the shell has ridges and spines. Seven pairs of leg-like appendages are found under the shell.

Horseshoe crabs have contributed to the medical research community. A substance in their blood called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate is used to test for bacterial endotoxins in pharmaceuticals and for several bacterial diseases.

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Follow Tybee Marine Science on Instagram

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Proudly hosted and produced by Dee Daniels Media

Resources:

Plan your visit to Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Welcome to the Season 2 kick-off of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast!

Welcome to our TURTLE TALKS! Today, we're learning everything we can about the fascinating Loggerhead Turtle. Worldwide there are seven species of turtles, and what's really cool is .... we see FIVE of those species on the Georgia coast.

Tybee Marine Science Educator Lindsay McGuire is teaching us all about the Loggerhead turtle's size, diet, anatomy, and of course the OH-SO-IMPORTANT nesting season. We'll also talk about light pollution and the "lost years" for Loggerheads.

Do you know what sea turtle tracks look like? Did you know one sea turtle Mom will lay about 75-125 eggs? Did you know that turtles are not able to see certain colors? Lindsay explains which colors turtles can and cannot see, and why it's so important to follow light pollution regulations.

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Follow Tybee Marine Science on Instagram

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Proudly hosted and produced by Dee Daniels Media

Resources:

Plan your visit to Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Take a deep dive with us on this episode recorded on location at Tybee Island Marine Science Center. We're talking about the biggest pillars here at the Science Center - Education and Conservation. Program Director Allison Williford Caldwell is back to teach us all about two programs - Bird Rescue and Marine Mammal Stranding.

The team works closely with area veterinarians during bird rescue to assess and properly rehab injured birds. Alli also talks about the coastal birds you might spot in this region.

When it comes to Marine Mammal Stranding - you'll learn about some of the work the Tybee Marine Science Center team does in the field with photo-identification with dolphins after a mass-stranding. And hold on tight for the tidal swings in Coastal Georgia. Because we have such a big swing in tides, most marine mammals in this region have adapted their routines.

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Follow Tybee Marine Science on Instagram

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Proudly hosted and produced by Dee Daniels Media

Resources:

Plan your visit to Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

As we continue to talk about the conservation and education programs at Tybee Island Marine Science Center, today we focus on the Sea Turtle Project and Diamondback Terrapin Rescue and Release. Sarah Alley, who is part of the Curator Team at the Science Center, is here to educate us on Sea Turtle nesting season on Tybee Island. She also talks about how the population and tourist factors play a big part in the season. It's a team effort for sure with many team members and volunteers.

When it comes to the Diamondback Terrapin Rescue and Release program, Sarah explains how the marshes throughout Coastal Georgia provide a great ecosystem for the Terrapins to live. When you stop in to visit the Science Center you can meet Ruby and Pearl, the resident Terrapins, who are there to educate. You'll hear about the importance of the Hatchling Headstart Program as well as the biggest threats for this magnificent species.

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Sarah Alley on Instagram

Proudly hosted and produced by Dee Daniels Media

Resources:

Learn about Diamondback Terrapin

Learn about Sea Turtles

Plan your visit to Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Settle in for a powerful one-on-one conversation with Executive Director Chantal Audran from Tybee Island Marine Science Center about the true heartbeat of the work they do with Education and Conservation. You will hear about the work that goes on in the field every day at the Science Center - including what happens during rescue missions. Chantal says, "feeling that connection to the organisms we are protecting is so important, not only for the growth of the scientists and marine educators but also for the species we are trying to understand and preserve".

Yes, the team is educating thousands of people who step into Tybee Island Marine Science Center - but it's really the conservation projects, the unseen work that they do, that they are so passionate about.

There are four main conservation projects at the Science Center, all of which involve a species of concern - an animal that needs help from helpful humans.

Warning: you will get bit by the passion bug after listening to this episode!

Conservation Projects to Learn About:

The Sea Turtle Project & The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network

Sea Bird, Shore Bird Rescue

Marine Mammal Stranding

Diamondback Terrapin Rescue

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Support Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

Now is the RIGHT time to learn about the Right Whale! This episode is information-packed for you curious-learners. Ashleigh Saal, Environmental Educator and Aquarist with Tybee Island Marine Science Center is sitting down with us to talk about Whale Week and the part we all play in saving one of the world's most endangered species of large whale. One way you can help is to share this episode with someone you know!

Every year, December marks the season for North Atlantic Right Whales to come home to Georgia’s waters to calve their newborns. Researchers estimate that there are less than 350 whales left, making them one of the most endangered large marine mammals on the planet.

WHALE WEEK INFO AND EVENT SCHEDULE Nov 13-18

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Support Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Ashleigh Saal, Environmental Educator and Aquarist

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

Other resources:

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Loop it up Savannah

OCEANA, Protecting the World's Oceans

Whale Week is almost here – November 13 - 18 - let's go! Whale Week brings scientific, cultural, and historical education events to the Coastal Georgia area connecting locals with their inner ocean steward. In preparing for Whale Week, we are so grateful to have award-winning historian, ocean activist, storyteller/story collector, and author Hermina Glass-Hill with us on this episode.

The fact is, North Atlantic Right Whales are on the verge of extinction. They once numbered in the thousands – and now there are less than 350. Hermina says in Coastal Georgia, we have created a “corridor of consciousness about our sister species” to raise awareness and provide a fan to the flame of action. Hermina highlights the call-to-action in front of us regarding contacting our politicians and telling them we want the North Atlantic Right Whale protected from large vessel strikes and large-scale fishing line entrapment.

Listen closely, because in this episode you will also hear the upcall of a North Atlantic Right Whale (minus all the ocean pollution and ocean noise) at the Savannah Harbor in early 2023 – thanks to audio from a research ship sponsored by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Join us for a week full of events to recognize and celebrate Whale Week!

Action items:

WHALE WEEK INFO AND EVENT SCHEDULE

Support the work at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Hermina Glass-Hill

Proudly hosted and produced by Dee Daniels Media

Other resources:

Susie King Taylor Women's Institute and Ecology Center

Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

ifaw | animals need your help

RIGHT WHALE | WRONG COLOR (short film)

PHONE NUMBERS

Congressman Buddy Carter 912-352-0101

Senator Raphael Warnock 202-224-3643

Senator John Ossoff 202-224-3521

We're getting ready for WHALE WEEK – and we’re on location at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center sitting down with Executive Director Chantal Audran and (Creative Renaissance Mermaid) Artist and Marine Educator Joy Davis. Whale Week is happening Monday, November 13th – Saturday, November 18th and is chocked full of amazing events and educational opportunities. You can be a part of Whale Week at several locations including Tybee Island Marine Science Center, Tybee Post Theater, Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center, and Ships of the Sea Museum.

Joy is the fabulous artist behind building the new Right Whale exhibit that will be completed this winter and will be unveiled at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center in early 2024. The North Atlantic Right Whale is Georgia’s state marine mammal and is the most endangered large whale species on Earth.

Learn more about the North Atlantic Right Whale:

Saving The North Atlantic Right Whale — Georgia Conservancy

North Atlantic Right Whales - Oceana USA

Learn more about the voices in this episode:

Follow Whale Week Activities on Facebook

Volunteer Opportunities

Host and Producer, Dee Daniels - Dee Daniels Media