The Big Turtle Year: Update #5

Species #9: Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Location: Central Connecticut Valley (Middlesex County, Connecticut)
Date: 30 March 2017
Post by Timothy J. Walsh

Central Connecticut Valley wetland (Middlesex County, Connecticut). Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

The state of Connecticut is certainly no hotspot for chelonian diversity, but it does contain a wonderful assembledge of northeastern species. Twelve turtle species can be found in the state, including Long Island Sound. A portion of my job with the Bruce Museum (Greenwich, Connecticut) is administering the Citizen Science project, Connecticut Turtle Atlas. This project encourages the public to help map turtle distribution throughout the state. The information gathered from these observations will be used to map distributions, identify important habitats, locate areas of nesting abundance, and detect roadways with high traffic-related mortality. To date, the project has 266 observations of 12 species by 42 people.

Barrie Robbins-Pianka and Tim Walsh with a male spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

One of the project's most prolific observers is Barrie Robbins-Pianka. Barrie is a nature enthusiast and conservationist. She has worked diligently over the last few years to try to end the harvest of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in Connecticut. George L. Heinrich and I were able to meet up with Barrie to visit one of her favorite turtle sites. Due to one species in particular that inhabits the area, we will be intentionally vague in describing where we were. To further help protect this population, I have used special software to delete the location data from my cell phone pictures to prevent the localities from being found out. Poachers have been known to use scientific publications, cell phone photos, and popular articles to locate study sites, and many researchers have lost study animals to this threat. The black market trade in turtles for pets is a serious threat to many species in the United States.

George L. Heinrich with a male spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). An ephemeral wetland can be seen in the background. Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

Four species can be found at this site, eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys p. picta), common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), and the imperiled spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). I was excited to have the opportunity to see spotted turtles, as I have never seen this species in the wild. George was also full of anticipation as he has not viewed spotted turtles in Connecticut since growing up here in the early 1970s! We met with Barrie and hiked into a wide valley to a riverside wetland which is bisected by an abandoned railroad. Barrie frequently encounters all four species as they cross the tracks while moving from one water body to the other. Barrie did see a spotted turtle yesterday and marked the location with a stick. Unfortunately, when we found the spot the turtle was nowhere to be found. We walked the tracks for about a mile and viewed muskrats, various waterfowl, and over twenty eastern painted turtles. We were a bit disappointed as we did not find any spotted turtles, so we began our hike back to the vehicle. While walking, I noticed an area of disturbed leaves next to the trestle and I moved my foot through the pile. To my surprise, an adult male spotted turtle was resting underneath! The air temperature was a chilly 51° F, but the sun was shining brightly; the turtle may have been absorbing heat radiating off the metal rail. The three of us were quite pleased with the find and Barrie stated that this specimen was the same one that she found the day before. We photographed the turtle and placed it back in the leaf pile.

Abandoned railroad adjacent to river valley wetland (Middlesex County, Connecticut). Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

Male spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) resting under leaf pile on abandoned railroad tracks. Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

The Big Turtle Year: Update #4

Species #7: Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys p. picta)
Species #8: Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Location: Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut) 
Date: 29 March 2017
Post by Timothy J. Walsh

Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut). Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

Today, George L. Heinrich and I visited Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut). This 32 acre urban park was established in 1927. The former tidal marsh was slated for development as a subdivision when a local girl, Helen Binney, convinced her father to purchase the land and preserve it. The land was preserved, but not in its natural state. Instead, it was turned into a cultivated and highly manicured park for the enjoyment of local residents. Helen Binney (Kitchel) went on to become an environmental champion and a Connecticut State Representative; one of her many fights was against roadside billboards and the negative affects they had on the scenery.

Although this type of modified park is a mere shadow of its wild self, these are sometimes the only natural areas people have access to, especially children. Binney Park has a nice-sized population of turtles consisting of three species. I am always pleased, while visiting, to hear a child exclaim "look mommy, turtles!" with great excitement. While I sometimes hear inaccurate information stated about the turtles, I am just happy that people get to enjoy the wonder of these amazing animals in a wild situation.

An adult male red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) basks in the spring sun at Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

Like many urban parks containing water bodies, there is an abundance of non-native red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Featured heavily in the pet trade, this species is often released after outgrowing their novelty and tanks. They may cause damage to local turtle populations by competing for food, basking, and nesting resources. At this site, red-eared sliders outnumber native painted turtles nearly six to one. Binney Park is a great spot to view the large, prehistoric-looking common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and I have observed 13 individuals at one time. The snapping turtles are not shy and will often approach people on the shoreline. It is obvious that they occasionally receive 'snacks' from park visitors. 

An eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys p. picta) was quite creative in selecting a basking spot at Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut), seen here on top of a common snapping turtle's (Chelydra serpentina) carapace! Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

Although it is technically spring, winter still has a good hold on the weather in the Northeast. It was 51° F and quite sunny. Most turtles in this region are just now emerging from hibernation and some are quite sluggish with swollen eyes. This is a difficult time for them to avoid predators and find food, but the most important thing for them right now is finding basking areas to absorb ample sunshine to kick-start their metabolism. In total, we were able to view four eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys p. picta), two common snapping turtles, and 23 red-eared sliders.

During a previous visit to Binney Park (Old Greenwich, Connecticut), a young boy was curious about an approaching snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Photograph by Timothy J. Walsh.

The Big Turtle Year: Update #3

Species #5: Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni)
Species #6: Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis)
Location: Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida) 
Date: 19 March 2017
Post by George L. Heinrich

After leaving St. Petersburg at 5:00 am and driving 189 miles north to Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida), Andrew Farren and I joined two of The Big Turtle Year’s partners: Dr. Jerry Johnston (Santa Fe College) and Eric Munscher (Turtle Survival Alliance - North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group) for a turtle survey on the spring-fed Ichetucknee River. This research project began in 2013 and is led by Jerry and Eric, along with co-principal investigator Dr. Joseph Mitchell (Mitchell Ecological Research Service). Nearly 60 individuals who really like turtles were there to canoe, snorkel, and capture as many as possible. Andrew and I found a Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) and a Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis) swimming in the thick eel grass that covered most of the bottom of the section that we worked.

The fifth species of The Big Turtle Year, a large, adult female Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni), at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Note the cusp on the upper jaw, a distinguishing characteristic not present in the other two species of cooters that occur in Florida. Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

TBTY partner Andrew Farren holding a female Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis), the sixth species of The Big Turtle Year, at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

That brings our count up to six species and completes the three species of Pseudemys which occur in Florida. Four additional species were captured by other snorkelers: peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis), yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys s. scripta), loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus m. minor), and common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). I had already observed the first two species in February (see The Big Turtle Year: Update #2). Just to keep things honest, the musk turtles were not included in the count for The Big Turtle Year since I neither saw nor captured either species. In fact, the first time that I saw them they were in large plastic containers at the processing station. I will be chasing turtles on three central Florida rivers during the next two months, so I expect to get the two species of musk turtles at that time. 

The TSA - North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group just started their weeklong spring break sample of seven Florida springs. To learn more about this energetic research group and how you can support their important research and conservation work, please visit the following: 

www.facebook.com/naftrg/

www.turtlesurvival.org/component/…/term/summary/27/4…

To learn more about Dr. Jerry Johnston’s and Eric Munscher’s work, please visit our Partners page.

You can also learn about some earlier turtle work that was conducted on the Ichetucknee River here: www.herpconbio.org/Vo…/Issue_1/Chapin_Meylan_2011.pdf.

TBTY partner Dr. Jerry Johnston (Santa Fe College) measuring the plastron of a Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis) at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

TBTY partner Eric Munscher (TSA - North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group) measuring a musk turtle (Sternotherus sp.) at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

Dr. Joseph Mitchell (Mitchell Ecological Research Service) measuring the plastron of a juvenile Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis) at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

TBTY partner Andrew Farren photographing an adult female yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys s. scripta) at Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

Turtle Survival Alliance Report from the Field

Meet Carl James Franklin (Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Biology), one of our partners with The Big Turtle Year project. George L. Heinrich will join him in Texas in late April to search for dozens of species that occur in the Lone Star State. It should be quite an adventure! Please visit the following Turtle Survival Alliance sites to learn about the incredible conservation work they do for turtles around the world.

www.turtlesurvival.org

www.facebook.com/TurtleSurvival/

The Big Turtle Year: Update #2

Species #2: Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis)
Species #3: Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox)
Species #4: Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Date: 11 February 2017
Post by George L. Heinrich

I am back from a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands where I saw lots of really big turtles, but that’s another story and unrelated to The Big Turtle Year. Since my return to Florida, Tim Walsh and I have continued to work with our project partners on planning and logistical concerns that need to be addressed in order for us to find 58 more species during the current calendar year.

Our strategy is to locate as many species as possible in Florida before we begin visiting other regions of the country in the spring. Florida’s diverse habitats support 27 of the 59 species (45.8%) known to occur in the United States. The more species that we can locate in Florida, the less species we will have to search for in other states where they also occur. This will make it possible to focus on other species when we are out of state and decrease the overall cost of the project. We have now raised $3,000 and are very grateful to our sponsors. Individuals who wish to support this conservation education project can donate at our GoFundMe site (www.gofundme.com/BigTurtleYear) or mail checks directly to FTCT as many individuals have done.

We picked up three more species today during the field session of a Turtle Science course that I am currently teaching at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). This ecologically rich, urban nature preserve supports 10 species of native turtles. With the temperature reaching the low 70s by early afternoon and a sunny sky, nine students joined me in a search for aquatic turtles at a relatively small, man-made, freshwater pond. One peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis), two Florida softshell turtles (Apalone ferox), and two red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) were observed surface basking and swimming. Although the latter species is native to north Florida, it is not native to the Tampa Bay region. Further, the subspecies T. s. elegans, is not native to the state at all. Due to the pet trade, red-eared sliders are now common in many locations outside of their native range and unfortunately can be found in several countries around the world. In addition to the above, we saw an adult gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) foraging along the side of the trail. Our first four species were all observed at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, but we will be visiting several other sites between now and the end of March.

The second turtle of The Big Turtle Year, an adult peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis) at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by William Rivera.

An adult Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) documented at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by William Rivera.

A non-native red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) observed at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by William Rivera.

The Big Turtle Year: Update #1

Species #1: Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Date: 1 January 2017
Post by George L. Heinrich

One down and 58 species to go. Today was the first day of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust’s new initiative, The Big Turtle Year, which will be occurring throughout the United States during 2017. Long in the planning, this conservation education project will increase awareness regarding the status of these often overlooked and ecologically significant animals. Individuals who wish to support our efforts can donate at our GoFundMe site (www.gofundme.com/BigTurtleYear) or mail checks directly to FTCT as many individuals have done.

George L. Heinrich with the first turtle of The Big Turtle Year, an adult female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by Andrew Farren.

As planned, we started our year-long quest at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida) with a search for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). This location was selected for symbolic reasons as it is a special place that is close to my heart. I have studied the herpetofauna of this preserve for over 25 years, and have conducted several burrow surveys of this fragmented population (estimate of 137 tortoises) located within a city-owned nature preserve. Data collected is being used to guide upland habitat management efforts and to address concerns regarding minimum viable population and minimum reserve size.

The first turtle of The Big Turtle Year, an adult female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

I was joined by two friends, Andrew Farren (project partner) and Jaime Gonzalez (current student in my Turtle Science course), on the upland trails in an area known to have a large number of tortoise burrows. The temperature reached 79 degrees by 1:00 pm and we observed a total of nine tortoises over the next 1.5 hours, including a hatchling at a burrow which I have been monitoring for the past two months. I consider this to be a great start for what should be a great year. Happy New Year to everyone!

An adult male gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). Photograph by George L. Heinrich.

The Big Turtle Year Begins January 2017

Plans for The Big Turtle Year are well underway. We recently met with potential project partners and sponsors at the Turtle Survival Alliance conference held in New Orleans this month. Interest in this conservation education project is strong and we look forward to working with multiple partners. We also completed two reconnaissance trips to the Midwest and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, with 14 species observed.

Documenting a Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) in southern Mississippi. Photograph by George L. Heinrich.