Kate Cassim

Abstract

The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is categorized as protected and a species of special concern in New York State (Milam 2001). Understanding the habitat use, movement patterns, and life history characteristics of this species will be essential for any future efforts to provide the necessary habitat requirements for their successful recovery and management. Rochester Institute of Technology partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the release of captive-bred spotted turtles. The goal of this study was to determine the movements, habitat use, survivorship, and growth of the captive-bred spotted turtles in a natural environment. The release of suitable numbers of captivebred spotted turtles into a proper environment where their habitat and resource needs are met should lead to individual survival and the establishment of a sustainable population. During this study, the majority of turtles were lost due to three major causes, premature battery failure, death due to predation, and death due to starvation. The results showed that the longer an individual was part of the study the more weight they lost (p=

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Clemmys guttata--Conservation; Captive wild animals--Breeding

Publication Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Environmental Science (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences (COS)

Advisor

Elizabeth N. Hane

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at QL666.C547 C37 2006

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ENVS-MS

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