How to Build a Turtle Raft

Turtles enjoy coming out of the water and resting on rafts to sun bath

Upon visiting a pond or lake you will often find turtles resting on logs near the shore. Turtles use these logs as rafts to take a break from swimming and soak in some sun instead. In areas where it may be hard for a turtle to find a resting log, a raft can be created and deployed. There are several materials that can be used to make a turtle raft. The material must be able to float and not deteriorate quickly in water. Suitable materials include wood and plastic, so long as the plastic does not have pieces hanging off it that might be chewed on.

Instructions

Log Raft

1. Collect or purchase at least 3 logs approximately 3 to 5 feet in length, depending on the size of the turtle pond you will be placing the raft in.

2. Measure all of the logs and draw a line across them with a pencil at the same length on each one.

3. Saw the logs straight across the line that was marked on each log so that they are the same length.

4. Band the logs together one by one using a durable plastic string. Make two connections, one at each end of the log, leaving very little space between each log. Tie tight knots upon connecting each one and cut off any ends so that they do not tempt animals to want to tug on or eat the string.

5. Place the raft into the pond and check on it during sunny times of the day to see of any turtles are utilizing the raft.

Bottle Raft

1. Clean out about 9 to 12 plastic bottles and place them upside down with the tops off to dry.

2. Place the tops back on the bottles once they are completely dry.

3. Glue the side of one bottle to the side of another bottle with an all purpose, waterproof glue. Make 3 rows of 3 if using 9 bottles or 3 rows of 4 if using 12 bottles.

4. Connect the rows of bottles to a small flat board, not much larger than the bottles when laid out in rows. Use the same glue used to make the rows of bottles and make sure all of the bottles are on the same side of the board. The end result will be a board supported on the underside by a couple of rows of plastic bottles.

5. Staple a piece of thin outdoor carpet to the top of the board, leaving a little bit of the carpet hanging over the edge to help turtles pull themselves up onto the raft.

6. Wait 24 hours before placing the raft into the water to ensure that the glue is completely dry.

References

• Shasta Roots & Shoots: Projects: Turtle Raft
• PBase: Flether Wildlife Gallery: Painted Turtle On Turtle Raft
• Wikimedia Commons: File:Turtle-raft-muenster-zoo-germany.jpg