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We, too, have had problems with ants...though they are fire ants.  In Volusia County, FL. last year quite a few rare leatherback hatchlings were killed in one nest.  However, due to close monitoring by volunteers of the Volusia  Sea Turtle Association, many others in the nest were rescued and released. 

I would  like very much to hear any suggestions as to possible prevention of ant predation. 

Cindy Lewis 
Prof. Volunteer



 

-----Original Message-----
From: Catharine Joynson-Hicks <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Aug 11, 2008 5:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Predation by red ants

Dear turtle experts
 
I wonder if any of you can help with a nest predation problem we have here in Tanzania.
 
The main egg predators are monitor lizards, honey badgers and red ants. We protect the nests from the former two by placing old fishing net over the nests. This has worked well. However, the red ants continue to raid many nests and destroy them at any time during the incubation period. We have seen some nests raided once the hatchlings have pipped the eggs, so they are fully developed and others a couple of weeks into incubation. I do not know the scientific name for these ants but they are relatively big (like Safari ants) with large pinchers.
 
We have tried putting cold ash on the top of the nest but this hasn't worked. Do any of you have any suggestions as to how we can reduced predation by red ants? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Many thanks in advance
 
Catharine Joynson-Hicks
SEA SENSE
Tanzania
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