Aquatic habitat utilization relative to home range and seasonal movements of eastern box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina: Emydidae) in eastern Tennessee

Eastern box turtles are largely characterized in the literature by their terrestrial tendencies, with little attention paid to the ecologically important role of water in their lives. Their rapidly declining populations due to habitat loss and overcollection call for an urgent need to assess all aspects, terrestrial and aquatic, of their habitat requirements. Trailing devices and radio transmitters were used to evaluate seasonal movement and to determine the extent to which turtles utilized aquatic habitats within their home ranges. Home ranges were determined by minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel methods. Home range sizes averaged 1.88 ± 0.49 ha via MCP analysis, and 2.26 ± 0.76 ha via 95% kernel analysis. Kernel estimators were more effective at representing uneven home range use, often demonstrating the heavy use of water relative to other areas. Turtles used creeks and temporary ponds in three separate areas from June through August. Extension of their home ranges frequently occurred when they took abrupt linear movements towards the water in response to high temperatures and low precipitation. One hundred thirty one turtles were found in two small temporary ponds, individuals remaining in the ponds for up to 21 consecutive days (range = 1-21, x = 6.1). This study demonstrates that wet areas have a significant effect on eastern box turtle lifestyle. They should be considered in wetland area conservation decisions where appropriate.