Terrestrial Activity of Striped Mud Turtles, Kinosternon baurii (Reptilia, Testudines, Kinosternidae) in West-Central Florida

Terrestrial movements of a population of striped mud turtles, Kinosternmon baurii, were monitored from March 1975 through April 1976 using trailing devices and terrestrial and aquatic traps. Studies were centered at a riverine forest pond and adjacent seasonal swamps in west-central Florida. A total of 67 turtles were marked and captured 157 times. The male to female ratio was 1:2 in the pond and 1:1 in the swamps. The results indicate that annual terrestrial activity is bimodal. During the first phase (Feb-July) the population disperses from the drying pond to aestivation sites in the forest. Turtles return as summer rains begin to fill the pond but soon thereafter migrate to newly formed shallow swamps. During the second phase (Sept-Dec) turtles return to the pond as the swamps dry. Terrestrial activity is correlated with water depth and the incidence of rainfall. Heavy rainfall apparently initiates mass migrations and extreme temperature inhibits terrestrial movements. It is suggested that social interactions are responsible for the disproportionate number of males which occupy the pond.

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