PROLONGED NESTING FORAYS BY COMMON MUD TURTLES (KINOSTERNON-SUBRUBRUM)

Previous research conducted at Ellenton Bay on the Savannah River Site near Aiken, S.C., indicated that gravid mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum) leaving the bay to nest remain in the terrestrial habitat for several days. We determined the time required to complete a nesting foray for 68 mud turtles. Nesting forays ranged from 2-29 d (xBAR - 8.7 d, SD = +/- 5.9 d). To determine why the turtles require so much time to nest, 25 mud turtles were equipped with radio transmitters and followed through the nesting cycle. Gravid mud turtles buried themselves after exiting the bay and most (86%) remained buried until a rainstorm occurred. The turtles nested during rainstorms. All turtles buried themselves after nesting. Most of the buried turtles (67%) then waited for another rainstorm before returning to the bay. The length of time between rains was the main factor influencing the amount of time the turtles required to complete the nesting cycle.