Terrestrial Movements and Microhabitat Selection of Overwintering Subadult Eastern Mud Turtles (Kinosternon Subrubrum) in Southwest Georgia

• Published in: Journal of herpetology 2007-09, Vol.41 (3), p.532-535
• Main Authors: Steen, David A, Sterrett, Sean C, Miller, Shannan A, Smith, Lora L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: BEHAVIOR; Conservation biology; Fences; Forest canopy; Habitat conservation; Kinosternon subrubrum; Microhabitats; Mud; Overwintering; Refuge habitats; Shorter Communications; Turtles; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0022-1511; 1937-2418
• DOI: 10.1670/0022-1511(2007)41[532:TMAMSO]2.0.CO;2

Although there is increasing recognition of the importance of terrestrial habitat to aquatic fauna, little is known about the specific habitat requirements of these species at a fine scale within the terrestrial landscape. Our knowledge of subadult life stages of many species, specifically aquatic turtles, is particularly depauperate. We used radio-telemetry to determine the timing and extent of terrestrial movements of 11 subadult Eastern Mud Turtles, Kinosternon subrubrum, during the winter. We also quantified microhabitat variables (ground cover composition, shrub cover, and canopy cover) of temporary refugia and overwintering sites (hibernacula) of radio-tagged turtles. On average, hibernacula sites were 72 m from the wetland (defined as the water's edge). Turtles remained at hibernacula a mean of 107 days before emerging in the spring. Radio-tagged turtles selected winter hibernacula with a large component of leaf and pine litter and less tree cover than temporary refugia. The leaf litter may provide stable temperature and soil moisture at hibernacula for overwintering turtles, whereas the open canopy may expose turtles to relatively higher temperatures in the spring prior to emergence.