The spatial ecology of the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) in a fragmented landscape in Southeast Tennessee, Hamilton County

The landscape throughout the range of the Eastern Box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) has been altered significantly since the late 1880s by habitat fragmentation. In this study, the spatial ecology and seasonal movement patterns of the Eastern Box turtle in contrasting habitat types are investigated. Eastern Box turtles had home ranges that averaged (mean = 3.77 ± 2.82 ha, minimum convex polygon) in size among individuals. There was no significant difference between mean annual home range size and movement patterns between males and females; however, home range size for male turtles was larger during the summer versus spring activity season (P = 0.02). At the landscape level, turtles used eastern deciduous forest and successional habitats and they selected sites with ample ground and canopy cover. These findings can be used to better conserve the habitats and populations of the Eastern Box turtle.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Dillard, Mark

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wilson, Thomas P.
• Aborn, David A.; Reynolds, Bradley R.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Box turtle
• Home range (Animal geography)

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/490

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1643