The Plymouth Redbellied Turtle Source www turtlefarms com4
The Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle: Source: www. turtlefarms. com/4 inch_gallery. htm Pseudemys rubiventris
Subspecies: n n n population that occupies a unique geographical range differs in morphology or genetically from other subspecies can interbreed with other subspecies of the same species
n n use to be considered its own subspecies called Pseudemys rubiventris bangsi based on differences in shell measurements when compared to the mid-Atlantic Redbellied Turtle (3). No Longer a Subspecies (3): does not differ genetically from the mid-Atlantic population
www. turtlefarms. com/hatchling-special. htm
Why is it classified as Endangered? n n n listed on April 02, 1980 based on the subspecies only occurring in Plymouth County (2) Only 50 turtles known in 1980 When the subspecies classification taken away, the National Wilderness Institute filed a petition in 1997 to de-list the turtle based on Taxonomic error Reclassification as a Disjunct Population Segment (separated by 250 miles) ensured that the turtle remain listed as endangered extinction of the Plymouth Population would reduce the latitude range by 1/3; other estimates say by 40% (3)
Breeding Age (3): n 15 -20 years (3) n as soon as 12 years for headstarted turtles Life Expectancy: (3) n 40 -45 years
Nesting: (3) n females dig a nest near the pond n 1 -2 clutches per year (most lay 1) n Incubation period: 73 -80 days n Incubation temp: 25 ºC (3)
http: //academic. emporia. edu/aberjame/wetland/wildlife/wild 64. jpg
Temp Dependent Sex Determination: (3) n shady/cool produces males n sunny/warm produces females Present Sex Ratio: n currently has more males n Boot Pond: 2. 5 males : 1 female (21: 8)
http: //www. esasuccess. org/reports/profile_pages/Northern. Redbellied. Cooter. html
Habitat (3): n n n 20 coastal plain Ponds 4 towns: Plymouth, Kingston, Carver and Middleborough 50% in single private owned pond (Federal)
www. turtlefarms. com/4 inch_gallery. htm
Major Threats (3): n Habitat loss n Predation n Burning Suppression
www. turtlefarms. com/4 inch_gallery. htm
Hatchling Predators (3) : n n bull frog, largemouth bass, great blue heron, raccoon, snapping turtles Nest predation: raccoons, skunks , red fox, coyotes, crows
Headstart Program (3) n 2, 725 have been released from 1984 -2007 n turtle nests protected with wire enclosures n hatchlings were collected n released at two to six times larger than similaraged turtles in the wild
Status of the Recovery Effort: Today there are 400 -600 breeding age turtles in 20 ponds, but less than 10 have more than 20 breeders.
Delisting Criteria (3): Status E to T Delisting Population Size 600 breeding age # subpopulations 15 ponds Self Sustaining (50 or more cooters) 1000 breeding age 20 self sustaining (lakes, ponds, possibly rivers) with protected habitat
Turtle Anatomy http: //www. theveterinarian. com. au/clinicalreview/article 731. asp
http: //reptilis. net/index 4/scutes. jpg
http: //www. peteducation. com/images/articles/ill_turtle_carapace. gif
Turtle Anatomy http: //www. peteducation. com/images/articles/ill_turtle_plastron. gif
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