Long-term Stability of an Eastern Box Turtle Population, Terrapene carolina, in an Urban Environment

Long-term Stability of an Eastern Box Turtle Population, Terrapene carolina, in an Urban Environment

Jerry Falwell Library, Lower Esbenshade Atrium

Eastern box turtles, Terrapene carolina, range widely in wooded habitats throughout the eastern US. Populations have declined recently due to habitat destruction, road mortality, and removals for the pet industry. Populations of these turtles are still found in forest fragments in urban environments such as the Blackwater Creek Nature area in downtown Lynchburg, VA. A mark-recapture population study was initiated in 1999 and was conducted annually through 2005. The population estimate was updated in 2013 and 2014 along with other demographic information to assess the stability of this urban population. We found the population size to be stable, varying between 144 and 232 individuals in this 11 ha study area. Annual survival rates remained above 0.75 for the duration of the study. Analyses of carapace lengths and movement patterns were also found to be generally stable over time, while sex ratios showed a trend of favoring males more recently. Initially females made up approximately 50% of the population, whereas they currently make up only 28%. Female survival rates may have declined over time due to increased urbanization of the area surrounding the study site. Females make excursions to find appropriate sites to lay eggs, and this may increase their risk of mortality as they cross roads, driveways, and lawns to seek appropriate nesting sites.