Study

Size related survival of headstarted redbelly turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris) in Massachusetts

  • Published source details Haskell A., Graham T.E., Griffin C.R. & Hestbeck J.B. (1996) Size related survival of headstarted redbelly turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris) in Massachusetts. Journal of Herpetology, 30, 524-527.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

    A controlled study in 1979–1988 in one large pond in Massachusetts, USA (Haskell et al. 1996) found that released head-started northern redbelly turtles Pseudemys rubriventris had higher survival than translocated, wild hatchlings, and that larger head-started turtles had higher survival than smaller ones. Annual survival of head-started turtles (36–100% of 12, 13 and 38 turtles released/year) was higher than for translocated hatchlings (0 of 15, 0%). Larger head-started turtles had higher annual survival in the first year following release (<65 mm: 36%; 66–95 mm: 66%; ≥96 mm: 92%), but in year 2–3 after releases survival was similar for all sizes (60–100%). Three of five additional turtles raised in captivity for one year were re-captured 13 years later.  Hatchling turtles were collected from a nearby pond and raised in a head-starting facility for around 9–12 months. In 1979–1988, a total of 68 head-started turtles were released (5 in 1979, 62 in 1985–1988), and in 1982, fifteen wild hatchlings were translocated immediately after capture. In 1985–1992, turtles were trapped annually over a 4–6-week period from May–June or August–September using basking traps and fyke nets.

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)

  2. Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

    A study in 1982–1988 in one large pond in Massachusetts, USA (Haskell et al. 1996) found that no translocated northern redbelly turtle Pseudemys rubriventris hatchlings survived, whereas some head-started turtles survived at least 3–13 years. Zero of 15 translocated hatchlings were re-captured. Larger head-started turtles had the highest annual survival in the first year following release (<65 mm: 36%; 66–95 mm: 66%; ≥96 mm: 92%), but annual survival in year 2–3 following release were similar for all sizes (60–100%). In 1982, fifteen hatchlings were translocated immediately after capture from a nearby pond. In 1979–1988, sixty-eight head-started turtles were released into the same location. Extensive trapping was carried out for 10 years following the release of the translocated hatchlings.

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust