Terrestrial habitat use by aquatic turtles of Carolina bays: implications for upland habitat conservation

Kurt A. Buhlmann

During August 1994-March 1995 I monitored the terrestrial movements of aquatic turtles associated with a Carolina bay wetland on the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Using a 1200m aluminum drift fence that completely encircled the bay, I captured turtles in late summer/autumn and attached thread bobbins to their shells as they exited. Thread lines of 86 turtles of five species were followed to their destinations. Most turtles buried themselves 50-250 m from the bay. A majority of the turtles selected an older pine/live oak forest, while fewer entered a 5-year-old clearcut. My results show that upland habitats are used by freshwater turtles in their yearly cycle, and also suggest that human alteration of upland habitats may have consequences on survival and hence the long-term persistence of turtle populations.

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