Hibernal thermal ecology of eastern box turtles within a managed forest landscape

2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea F. Currylow ◽  
Brian J. Macgowan ◽  
Rod N. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Ecology ◽  
Forest Landscape ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles

Abundance of Juvenile Eastern Box Turtles Relative to Canopy Cover in Managed Forest Stands in Alabama

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Felix ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Helen Czech ◽  
Callie J. Schweitzer
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles

Behavioural and physiological responses to simulated predator-induced stress in the eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-398
Author(s):  
Victoria L. Preston ◽  
Jessica M. Vannatta ◽  
Matthew Klukowski
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Graded Response ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract In spite of the fully-hinged shell being the defining characteristic of box turtles, few studies have quantified the behavioural use of the shell in response to predator encounters. While it is often assumed that box turtles simply withdraw into their shell in response to threats, we expected variability among individuals in shell usage and in the degree of head and limb retraction because withdrawal is likely to be costly. We tested the behavioural and physiological responses of free-ranging eastern box turtles to stimuli of varying intensity: observation only, a visual stimulus, a poke on the leg, or a pinch on the leg before being flipped. The more intense the simulated predatory stimulus, the more likely turtles were to fully close their shell. However, stimulus intensity did not affect plasma corticosterone or lactate levels. This may be due to too brief or weak of a stimulus, increased parasympathetic activity, or seasonal effects. Upon capture and during handling, almost all turtles withdrew into their shells and closed their anterior plastron, although fewer closed their posterior plastron, and a few engaged in other behaviours such as biting and urinating. Older, larger turtles were able to close their shells with greater strength than younger and smaller turtles. Our results indicate that in spite of their fully closable shell, box turtles exhibit a graded response to perceived threats. This suggests that full closure of the shell is likely to be costly and occurs only in response to the most intense stimuli.

Identification of a novel herpesvirus in captive Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

2015 ◽  
Vol 175 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 218-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Sim ◽  
Terry M. Norton ◽  
Ellen Bronson ◽  
Matthew C. Allender ◽  
Nancy Stedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina

PREVALENCE OF INTRAERYTHROCYTIC PARASITES IN MAROCHELYS TEMMINCKII, EMYDOIDEA BLANDINGII, TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA, AND TERRAPENE ORNATA ORNATA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Doke ◽  
Kara Hiebert ◽  
Melanie Repella ◽  
Megan Stuart ◽  
Lauren Mumm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Classes ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Terrapene Ornata ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina ◽  
Free Ranging

Few studies have characterized the prevalence of intraerythrocytic parasites in free-ranging chelonian populations or their occurrence across habitats. It is hypothesized that chelonians in different habitats have different exposures to vectors and thus, differences in hemoparasite presence. This study explored the prevalence and intensity of intraerythrocytic parasites by examining blood smears from four species of Illinois turtles: wild Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) (EBT), and ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) (OBT) and headstarted alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) (AST). Intraerythrocytic parasites were identified in all examined species except for the alligator snapping turtle. For all age classes, Blanding’s turtles had both the highest prevalence of hemoparasites and intensity of infection of all sampled species, while adult Blanding’s turtles had a significantly higher prevalence than juveniles (P<0.05). As this is the first study of hemoparasites in Illinois chelonians, further research is needed to identify the specific species of intraerythrocytic parasite, the potential vectors, and the effect these hemoparasites have on the health of chelonians.

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