Thermal environment and microhabitat of ornate box turtle hibernacula

Effects of Slope, Substrate, and Temperature on the Locomotion of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata

A Generalized Method to Determine Detectability of Rare and Cryptic Species Using the Ornate Box Turtle as a Model

Estimates regarding population parameters are often based on data from surveys. To ensure that such estimates are as accurate as possible, it is important to know the detectability resulting from the particular survey method used. We used radiotelemetry to measure detectability of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata), using visual-encounter surveys in a sand prairie in northwestern Illinois, U...

Microhabitat selection by sea turtles in a dynamic thermal marine environment.

1. Reproductive fitness is often compromised at the margins of a species' range due to sub-optimal conditions. 2. Set against this backdrop, the Mediterranean's largest loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) rookery at Zakynthos (Greece) presents a conundrum, being at a very high latitude for this species, yet hosting a high concentration of nesting. 3. We used visual surveys combined with glo...

Activity and Thermal Ecology of the Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata, at its Southwestern Range Limit in Arizona

– Activity and thermal ecology of Terrapene ornata luteola were studied in southeastern Arizona, near the extreme southwestern range limit for T. ornata, using a combination of radiotransmitters and temperature data loggers attached to individual turtles. Surface activity was greatly affected by rainfall and operative temperatures both seasonally and daily. Most of the annual activity occurred ...

Low metabolic cost of locomotion in ornate box turtles, Terrapene ornata.

Evolution has produced a wide range of body plans, but for a given body mass, the energetic cost of transport (COT) of terrestrial animals falls in a relatively narrow range. Previous research indicates that the COT depends on the proficiency of minimizing mechanical work performed, efficiency of performing that work, and cost of generating force to support weight. Turtles are unique in that th...