First Advisor

Joseph Maser

Term of Graduation

Spring 2001

Date of Publication

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Science and Resources

Department

Environmental Sciences and Resources

Language

English

Subjects

Western pond turtle -- Ecology, Western pond turtle -- Infancy

Physical Description

1 online resource (ix, 135 pages)

Abstract

This project studies 16 juvenile, western pond turtles that were head-started as part of a species recovery program. To my knowledge, no studies have focused solely on juvenile western pond turtles. This study focuses on the turtles’ ecology in their first season in the wild. Radio telemetry was used to study the turtles’ survival, habitat use, behavior and movement.

All study animals survived. Turtles were found to choose aquatic habitat with 81 %-100% floating vegetative cover. Data suggest that refugia was the most important benefit of floating vegetation. All overwintered in upland sites after brief stays in the ponds. Home ranges were found to be 0.44 ha. Turtles were found to bask under water, at the surface and out of the water. Emergent basking was most common overall but in one of the four ponds, no emergent basking sites were available. Three turtles emigrated to new ponds before overwintering. Some turtles aestivated before overwintering. Some overwintered without aestivation. Turtles were found to move from one upland form to another several times while overwintering.

These captive-raised turtles released in a foreign pond were found to adapt successfully in their first season.

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