Help Save the Box Turtles!

The transmitter turtles finally woke up in the middle of May!  Just in time for our summer conservation interns to learn how to track them.  Fortunately, our turtles had no visible signs of illnesses after waking up from a 6-month hibernation.  They have been very active as well.  In fact, many of our turtles have moved outside of their “normal” home ranges.  Not many studies have tracked turtles for more than a couple of years, and we have been tracking some of our turtles for more than 3 years.  The reason the turtles are traveling longer distances than in previous years is unknown.  One idea is that the construction surrounding the park has disturbed the turtles.  Another is that these turtles are older and may be pushed out of their ranges due to a higher density of younger, more fit turtles.  Only research will be able to determine whether or not the above hypotheses or true, or if there’s another reason they are traveling further.

Our conservation interns are an essential part of our box turtle project.  They work tirelessly during the hot and humid summer to keep up with the box turtles.  Other than the reward of spotting the turtle, sometimes interesting activities are documented.  For the first time since starting our project, two of our transmitter turtles were caught mating.  In the past, we have found turtles mating, but never 2 transmitter turtles.  We always hope we can catch one of our turtles laying eggs, so we can study the nest site as well. Our interns always express that "this is great experience, and I love getting out in the field and tracking."

Stay connected with us and let us know when you find box turtles.  You can always get involved with our citizen science project to help study turtles in the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area).  Just check out this link: http://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/citizen-scientists/

Thank you!

Links:

• PWC's Box Turtle Project
• PWC Citizen Science Project