Turtles in the Land of Accelerators

Blandings Turtle, photo credit:  www.petinfospot.com 

In addition to serving as the summer invasive weed crew, Mike Beck & Kevin Sheehan also performed a turtle survey to verify whether the Blanding’s turtle was still a resident of the Fermilab site and to assess the diversity and health of the turtle populations on site.


Regionally, Blanding’s Turtles, a state threatened species, are suffering due to loss of habitat and other disturbances. More information: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=111615

Three types of traps were set at 7 different locations around the Fermilab site, each for one week.

Kevin & Mike, setting a trap

In total, 48 turtles were caught, including 21 snapping turtles, 25 painted turtles and 2 red-eared sliders. Of the snapping turtles, there were 7 females and 13 males, with an average size of 12.11 inches. Four of the painted turtles were too young to identify whether male or female. Of the rest, there were six females and 15 males. The average size of all of the painted turtles was 5.28 inches. Both of the red-eared turtle captures were females, with an average size of 7.88 inches. While not trapped, a spiny softshell turtle was also identified on site.
 
 

Kevin & a young painted turtle

 
Overall results of the survey indicate that the Fermilab turtle populations are healthy, with few injuries or parasites, particularly since male and females were caught, as well as a variety of age groups.
 
 

Mike and a snapping turtle

The lack of Blanding’s may be attributable to changing ecosystems: including drainage of the marsh where it was previously identified, young ponds and frequent construction on the Fermilab site. In addition, while Blanding’s Turtles can live long lives (up to 80 years), sexual maturity doesn’t occur until around 16 years, leaving plenty of time for predators, including cars, to challenge the turtles’ longevity.

Trap full of young painted turtles

Mike and Kevin suggest improved habitats may help attract non-pioneer species, including the Blanding’s, Map and Stinkpot turtles.

Thanks for your work -- and the interesting results!