Turtle primer

SANDY LONG
Posted 6/28/17

The Upper Delaware River region is blessed with interesting reptiles, among them the turtles we see moving about right now. Some, like the snapping turtle, have healthy populations and are commonly …

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Turtle primer

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The Upper Delaware River region is blessed with interesting reptiles, among them the turtles we see moving about right now. Some, like the snapping turtle, have healthy populations and are commonly observed, while others, such as the wood turtle, are infrequently encountered due to declining populations.

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, significant reductions have been reported for wood turtles due to habitat modification, fragmentation and loss, along with predation on eggs and juveniles by raccoons, skunks, opossums and foxes; road mortality; and over-collection. As one of our most beautiful turtle species, the wood turtle’s popularity has led to considerable illegal commercial trade.

Learning more about our region’s reptiles is a good place to start in supporting their welfare. Consider becoming a citizen scientist by enlisting as a volunteer for the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS), a state-sponsored atlas project launched in 2013 to determine the distribution and status of all amphibians and reptiles throughout the state.

Visit https://paherpsurvey.org to learn more about how to get involved. Registered volunteers submit “voucher photos” of their finds and are eligible to enter the PARS Second Annual Photography Contest. While the deadline falls in September, the intervening months are the best time to encounter and photograph our region’s reptiles and amphibians. See the details at https://paherpsurvey.org/news.

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