HABITAT USE, TERRESTRIAL MOVEMENTS, AND CONSERVATION OF THE TURTLE, DEIROCHELYS RETICULARIA IN VIRGINIA

Only one isolated population of the chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) is known to occur in Virginia. Data collected from 1989 to 1992 by mark-recapture and radio-telemetry studies indicated that the population is small, with possibly fewer than ten adults remaining. Virginia chicken turtles inhabit interdunal swales that have seasonal water fluctuations. Results of radio-telemetry studies revealed that some chicken turtles will leave drying wetlands and aestivate on land during the summer months. All radio-tagged turtles hibernated terrestrially. Although the population exists within a state park and natural area, only one-fifth of the original habitat is protected,whereas the remaining portion was destroyed by development outside the park boundaries. A conservation management plan should include protection for the interdunal ponds and significant terrestrial use areas, protection for the turtles from highway mortality, and incorporation of hydrologic data and historic habitat availability.