How many bog turtles are left in the world

The turtle was only confirmed to be in Massachusetts in the s; The Nature Conservancy started monitoring the animal in the s. Over time, the conservancy and the state government bought land where turtles were living, resulting in a patchwork of state, nonprofit and privately-owned parcels. Many of the conservation efforts here are supported by state and federal grants. Researchers, including Sirois-Pitel, now think the turtles may be moving toward recovery.

A new partnership between Massachusetts and six other states aims to protect the turtles, and identify places where conservation can expand. But according to Mike Jones, the state's herpetologist, they've been here since at least the last ice age, and are important to the state's biodiversity.

And their extinction could lead to unexpected, long-term consequences. Sirois-Pitel, who has worked with bog turtles for more than 15 years, says there's a responsibility to protect animals, especially after ruining their habitats.

In the wetlands, the radio signal leads her to a hummock of mud and grass. She crouches down, sticks her hand in a hole underneath, and comes up with a turtle. Bog turtles are one of the smallest turtles in the world. Their territory stretches from western Massachusetts down to Georgia, with a roughly mile gap in the mid-Atlantic. The federal government classified the turtles as threatened in What makes the turtles so vulnerable — other than the poachers — is where they live.

Bog turtles are only found in open, shallow wetlands with a very specific chemistry. In Connecticut, these special habitats only occur in the western part of the state. Bog turtles rely on an abundance of grassy or mossy cover and high humidity.

Open, sunny areas where the turtles can bask to raise their body temperature also are important. Bog turtles eat seeds, berries, insects, slugs, worms, crayfish, frogs, snakes, snails, and carrion.

Life History: Bog turtles breed in late April to early June after emerging from hibernation. Nests are usually in tussocks or on sphagnum moss in sunny areas of a bog.

The 2 to 5 usually eggs are laid from June to July and are left on their own to develop and hatch. Incubation lasts for 7 to 8 weeks and hatching occurs from July to early September. In Connecticut, eggs may overwinter in the nest and hatch in spring when there is an abundant food supply. The nests are often preyed on by skunks and raccoons.

The young are only 1 inch long at hatching and are often taken by a variety of birds and mammals. Interesting Facts: During winter, bog turtles hibernate underwater in deep areas of bogs in about 6 to 18 inches of mud.

Immature turtles do not hibernate in deep mud until they are 2 to 3 years old. The turtles emerge from hibernation in late March through April and may migrate short distances to feeding and breeding sites. Bog turtles feed during the daylight hours; however, they are seldom active during the hottest part of the day and are inactive on chilly mornings. In addition to the bog turtle, bogs provide homes for four endangered species, including green pitcher plants, mountain sweet pitcher plants , swamp pink, and bunched arrowhead.

Migratory birds such as woodcock, grouse, turkey and wood duck stop in for a visit. They are also valuable breeding habitat for amphibians, particularly for salamanders. The Southern Appalachians are a hotspot for salamanders unequaled anywhere else in the country.

There are also benefits to people. Bogs regulate water flow. When it floods, they will soak up water, which is gradually released to streams. Bog turtles are also threatened by diminished water quality, mortality on roadways, growing populations of predators like raccoons and by reptile collectors who consider this rare turtle a valuable prize. In Pennsylvania, small, spring-fed streams trickle down South Mountain towards the sandstone valley below.

In some areas, the water collects to form soft, muddy wet meadows, surrounded by clumps of grassy tussock sedges and other low-lying vegetation. This creates ideal habitat for bog turtles. In , The Nature Conservancy acquired land near South Mountain in order to maintain, and restore habitat required by these turtles that are no larger the palm of a human hand.

Over the years, this work has included managing burns, cutting trees and introducing cattle and goat grazing in order to foster the growth of native vegetation and maintain the soft mucky soils that the turtles prefer.

TNC also conducted a radio telemetry study in Pennsylvania that documented bog turtle locations, hibernation, travel patterns and habitat use within the preserve. Studies have revealed the existence of a year-old bog turtle, the oldest documented bog turtle known in the wild. Many mountain bogs that used to be home to bog turtles in the southern population have been lost to development.

There, Warwick leads the charge to restore mountain bog habitat for the turtle. Beavers also once helped to create that habitat in the Southern Blue Ridge, but with their populations also in decline, TNC strives to maintain an open, grassy landscape with clear cutting. Electric fencing and caging at bog turtle sites to protect them from predators and people are techniques known techniques to enhance nesting success.