Date of Award

2009

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Thomas Pauley

Second Advisor

Jayme Waldron

Third Advisor

Dan Evans

Fourth Advisor

Frank Gilliam

Abstract

Little is known about the eastern box turtle, Terrapene c. carolina, in West Virginia. The purpose of this study was to compare demographic data between two populations of box turtles, to determine which environmental parameter(s) influence activity patterns, and to describe the optimal habitat of the box turtles at two study sites (Lake and State Park) at Beech Fork Wildlife Management Area. I observed male-skewed sex ratios and low numbers of juveniles in both populations. Male turtles were larger than females in carapace length, but females were larger in carapace height. Turtles at the Lake site exhibited greater body mass and carapace height due to more food and shelter availability. Turtles were most likely found active in the morning hours due to cooler air temperatures, but warmer substrate temperatures. Optimal box turtle habitat conditions at the study site were mixed hardwood forests with nearby fields and 1st order streams.

Subject(s)

Turtles -- West Virginia.

Box turtle -- West Virginia.

Beech Fork Lake (W.Va.)

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