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Nest-site selection and nest depredation of semi-aquatic turtles on golf courses

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Abstract

Urban landscapes present various challenges to semi-aquatic turtle reproduction. In developed regions, golf courses may provide some of the best remaining habitat for turtle populations. We explored nest-site selection of eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at a golf course pond in Davidson, North Carolina, USA, and modeled nest-site preference using Akaike Information Criterion, with the best supported model favoring nests surrounded by mulch and mowed grass. Additionally, we evaluated nest depredation rates using simulated turtle nests and found that golf course ponds did not have significantly greater nest depredation compared to urban and rural ponds. Our results suggest that golf courses may offer suitable habitat for turtle reproduction in developed areas.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to L. Witczak, C. Williams, E. Eskew, and S. Hunt for their assistance with this project. The authors thank all of the participating landowners for the use of their property during this project and Dennis Testerman for assistance with locating suitable ponds. Funding for this project was provided by Davidson College Biology Department, Duke Power, the Duke Endowment through the Davidson Research Initiative, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Links Program.

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  1. Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 28035, USA

    Shawna M. Foley, Steven J. Price & Michael E. Dorcas

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  1. Shawna M. Foley
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  2. Steven J. Price
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  3. Michael E. Dorcas
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Correspondence to Steven J. Price.

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Foley, S.M., Price, S.J. & Dorcas, M.E. Nest-site selection and nest depredation of semi-aquatic turtles on golf courses. Urban Ecosyst 15, 489–497 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0229-4

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