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- Title
Pre- and post winter hibernation ecology of the eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina.
- Authors
BOUCHER, TIMOTHY P.; ERNST, CARL H.; ORR, JOHN M.
- Abstract
Thermal ecology of the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was studied during the cooler months of the year (September to April) at the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA. The research enlisted individual male and female turtles tracked by radio telemetry. Observations were made on behaviour and thermoregulation in relation to their effect as the turtles entered into hibernacula, moved during the winter, and emerged in the spring. We found extensive above ground movements were common through mid- to late December and ground movement from hibernacula to others were more frequent than expected. Turtles emerged in late March and early April and, depending on the spring warm-up, the turtles remained close to hibernacula before undertaking characteristic spring movement and activity. The observed thermal characteristics of microhabitats appeared to affect, and could predict, varied behaviours and movements. While turtles in geographic areas where temperatures fall below freezing enter hibernacula during the winter, our study found this to be a generalisation. The temperature profiles of specific microhabitats suggest a relationship between amount, type and degree of activity. In northern Virginia, we found turtles to be significantly more active than expected at temperatures that would otherwise suggest less movement. They entered hibernacula later, moved (relocated) dependent on environmental ambient temperatures, and seemed to be subject to freezing during the winter and emerged earlier.
- Subjects
VIRGINIA; BOX turtle; GEOTHERMAL ecology; NATIONAL parks &; reserves; BODY temperature regulation; HIBERNACULA (Animal habitations)
- Publication
Herpetological Bulletin, 2017, Issue 142, p1
- ISSN
1473-0928
- Publication type
Article