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Home , False map turtle, Ornate box turtle, River cooter, Terrapene ornata

) . r e m d e R e k i M y b o t o h P ( ) . i k s w e l e g n e W m a i l l i W y b o t o h P ( Know Your Illi n How many do you recogniz e? Hint:

Story By Jim Lamer, Chad Dolan, and John Tucker Photos By John Tucker ) ) . . l l d r o a l M l . a B O . t t E o . r c S D y y b b o o t t o o h h P P ( (

llinois is home to a diverse array One might ask: What’s the difference glimpse of aquatic sliding off logs of turtles represented by 17 between a terrapin, a and a tur - into the water when startled from basking. species from four different fami - tle? Technically, Illinois is home to “ter - Basking turtles perch on exposed logs to lies. Topping the list are three rapins,” a technical name for all aquatic or warm their bodies in the sun. extremely common species found semi-aquatic turtles. The term tortoise A number of species prefer to inhabit tIhroughout the state: the red-eared slider typically is restricted to the Testu - flowing water such as rivers and . ( scripta elegans ), common dinae (e.g., Galapagos tortoise, gopher Examples include the common map turtle snapping turtle ( serpentina ) tortoise) which have thick, “elephantine” ( geographica ), and ( Chrysemys picta ). limbs and are strictly terrestrial (land (Graptemys pseudogeographica ), Ouachi - Chances are, wherever you live in Illinois, inhabitants). Regardless of the name, ta map turtle ( Graptemys ouachitensis ), this trio of typical turtle species lives near - whether terrestrial, marine or aquatic, smooth softshell ( mutica ) and by. These three can adapt to a wide variety these all lay on land. spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera ). The of ; however, they often prefer Many Illinois residents encounter tur - common musk turtle ( ponds, lakes and river backwaters. tles while driving—sometimes even stop - odoratus ) is an aquatic turtle found in mud- ping to kindly escort turtles across roads. bottomed lakes, ponds and slow-moving 2 / Outdoor Illinois May 2009 Other drive-by sightings might include a streams and rivers. ) . n ) . o r s e p m m d o e h R T e n k i a M D y y b b o o t t o o h h P P ( ( ) . n ) . a l l m o e M e . r F O . l o E r . a r C D y y b b o o t t o o h h P P ( ( ois Turtles There are 17,including a few rarely seen. ) ) . . d d r r a a l l l l a a B B t t t t o o c c S S y y b b o o t t o o h h P P ( (

Rarely sighted species include the alli - turtle, are on the state-threatened or larger than females and can sometimes be gator snapping turtle, ( Macroclemmys endangered list due to loss or seen on land moving between bodies of temmincki ), a southern species which overharvest for consumption. water. Females leave the water from mid- may be extirpated in Illinois; the Illinois And then there are those turtles we May to mid-June to make nesting migra - mud turtle ( flavescens discover during forest hikes. Illinois has tions, when they lay large (up to 40) clutch - spooneri ), a sand specialist; the two turtle species not restricted to es of round, leathery eggs. Unfortunately, eastern mud turtle ( Kinosternon sub - aquatic habitats and often encountered nesting season is the time when these tur - rubrum ); the ( on land: the eastern ( Ter - tles are most vulnerable to harvest. concinna ); and the ( Clem - rapene carolina ) and the ornate box As the largest of all Illinois turtles, the mys guttata ), a northern marsh specialist. turtle ( ). alligator snapping turtle can reach All of these turtles are state-endangered The common snapping turtle occurs weights up to 155 pounds. Their largely species. In addition, Blanding’s turtle statewide and feeds on a variety of material carnivorous diet consists of fish and (Emydoidea blandingii ) is a threatened including , crayfish, plants and often young turtles—food it often tricks into species which prefers marsh, wet prairie dead fish. A large turtle, it will vigorously range through deception. The alligator and wetland habitats. Many of these defend itself on land but usually prefers to turtles, as well as the alligator snapping avoid confrontation in the water. Males are May 2009 Outdoor Illinois / 3 One type of sampling tool, a hoop net, caught a variety of turtles, including common snapping tur- tles and red-eared sliders.

snapper possesses a fleshy appendage on its tongue to lure fish. Historically it occurred in the southern-most part of the state. Young common snapping turtles often are confused with the alligator snap - per because they both have three large prominent keels on the upper shell. How - ever, the keels on large common snap - ping turtle shells tend to disappear with age, while the alligator snapping turtle The common musk turtle, or by the large, concave depressions present retains them throughout life. Moreover, stinkpot, is a small, black turtle that on the bottom of their shells. Box turtles the alligator snapping turtle has an extra occurs statewide in stagnant, mud-bot - feed on a variety of , berries row of scales on the shell that is not pre - tomed water. The name refers to a musky and fungi; however, the sent in the common snapping turtle. A smell produced by secretions from the tends to be more carnivorous than its state-, possibly reflect - hinge of the shell that are released when counterpart. It is the box turtle most likely ing overharvest, southern Illinois is the the is startled or handled. The to bite when handled. northernmost part of this turtle’s range. stinkpot can be recognized by its small The most common turtle in Illinois is The painted turtle is a common species body size, large head and presence of the red-eared slider, which utilizes a wide and occurs throughout the state as the chin barbels. It lays up to 13 ellipsoidal, variety of habitats and can be recognized classic pond turtle. Medium-sized, with hard-shelled eggs during the May to July by a distinct red patch on the side of the females usually larger than males, painted nesting season. head in juveniles and females. The young turtles have a depressed, smooth shell with Box turtles—eastern and ornate—are feed mainly on insects while older indi - brightly colored patterns on the lower the only Illinois species that can complete - viduals include more plant material in shell. Like all Illinois pond turtles, males ly retract within their shell. The eastern their diet. Sliders nest in mid-May to July, have longer front claws than the female, box turtle prefers forested areas while the average 12 eggs per clutch and nest up to with these claws used in a mating ritual. ornate box turtle, the more uncommon of three times per year. Males can be identi - Their diet consists of mussels, plants and the two species, is a prairie specialist. They fied by the long claws on their front insects. Painted turtles nest up to three are usually found walking on land. Typical - limbs. Red-ears, primarily the males, times a year between mid-May and July, ly, both species lay ellipsoidal eggs in June. become melanistic (loss of vibrant color with up to 20 eggs laid in each clutch. Males can be differentiated from females and pattern) with age. Three species of map turtles occur throughout the rivers of Illinois: the com - mon map, false map and Ouachita map 2 3 4 5 6 turtle. Head markings are used to identify 1 each species. Map turtles exhibit sexual dimorphism in that the females are con - 7 8 9 10 siderably larger than males and have a stouter head, and males have larger fore- claws than females. Map turtles persist on 11 How did you do? a diet of plants, insects and mollusks. Examination of the front edge of the 17 shell is used distinguish between the spiny 12 13 14 15 16 (small spines are present) and smooth soft - shell turtles. In addition, spiny softshells 1. red-eared slider, 2. spotted, 3. Ouachita map, 4. Blanding’s, 5. river cooter, have flared nasal septa present in the nos - trils. These large turtles are found in rivers 6. common musk, 7. common map, 8. smooth softshell, 9. alligator snapping, and larger lakes statewide; however, 10. painted, 11. eastern box, 12. ornate box, 13. spiny softshell, 14. false map, smooth softshells rarely occur in lakes 15. Illinois mud, 16. eastern mud, 17. common snapping. while spiny softshells tolerate a wide range of habitats. Females are much larger than 4 / Outdoor Illinois May 2009 males, and lay an average of 18 round eggs in sand or mud up to four times per year from mid-May to July. Behavior can help differentiate the two: spiny softshells will defend themselves, often biting when han - dled, while smooths do not. Scientists use a variety of equipment and methods to survey turtle populations including hoop nets, basking traps, fyke nets and trammel nets, as well as collec - tion of specimens from roadways during the nesting season. Researchers collect data such as species, carapace (top of shell) length and width, plastron (bottom of shell) length and width, sex and weight. may impact turtle populations as scien - Male red-eared sliders can be Eggs collected from females are used to tists have discovered that females are pro - identified by their long foreclaws. learn about reproductive effort (e.g., ducing an extra clutch of eggs during the This group includes a melanistic clutch size, size, weight). All these nesting season. Turtle sex is determined data provide scientists with information in the nest by ground temperature (i.e., (dark) turtle. regarding turtle population structure. warmer ground temperatures produce Since the majority Illinois turtles are females, cooler produce males). Female dents (a competitive nationwide scholar - aquatic, most of the research is conduct - sliders lay an extra clutch during the rela - ship program for high school students) ed on the and Illinois rivers. tively cool spring, and the resulting all- and university faculty. Long-term turtle monitoring projects have male hatch can skew the male-to-female Turtles are an important component of sex ratio. Such a scenario could have seri - aquatic ecosystems because they serve as Want to know more? ous impacts on the health of the species a means of cleansing, maintaining and and its population. preserving the balance of these important good source to learn more about More than 30,000 turtles (46,000 cap - habitats. Turtles consume carrion (dead AIllinois’ reptiles and amphibians is “Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphib - tures) have been studied on the Mississip - fish, crayfish and aquatic insects), materi - ians of Illinois” (Phillips, C.A., Brandon, pi and Illinois rivers at the Great Rivers al that would be left to decompose if not R.A. and E.O. Moll, 1999; available by Field Station over a period of 14 years. In utilized. Turtles also feed on aquatic vege - e-mailing [email protected] or calling (217) 244-2161) or visiting the addition, Western Illinois University tation, preventing these plants from colo - Illinois Natural History Survey’s Kibbe Field Station continues to expand nizing or overwhelming a portion of a and amphibian Web site at www.inhs. on 11 years of long-term data collection water body. uiuc.edu/animals_plants/herps. on the . Turtles are A common misnomer is that turtles marked in to look at movement, feed exclusively on live fish, often gener - been established at the Great Rivers Field growth, and genetics of different popula - ating the belief that turtles can be detri - Station (Illinois Natural History Survey) tions and species, including research mental to fish populations. With the and the Kibbe Field Station (Western Illi - undertaken by Earthwatch Institute stu - exception of the alligator snapping turtle, nois University). The programs include turtles generally cannot catch healthy mark and recapture studies implemented fish. Rather, they are opportunistic, opt - to look at movement, homing, sex ratio, ing to feed on dead or dying fish encoun - growth and population estimates. tered while perusing the bottom of their Because red-eared sliders are abundant aquatic kingdom. and highly susceptible to capture in the Although not an everyday encounter southern two-thirds of the state, large for most, turtles are yet another Illinois sample sizes can be readily collected. As a treasure. result, this is the most-researched species and serves as a model for other turtle investigations. Jim Lamer is the manager of the Alice L. For instance, red-eared sliders provide Kibbe Biological Station at Western Illi - insight as to how recent climatic warming nois University. Chad Dolan is a fisheries biologist for the Department of Natural Resources, working at the Lake During the research project, Iowa Darling Station. John Tucker is the Illi - nois Natural History Survey herpetologist Department of Natural Resources based at the Great Rivers Field Station. biologist Chad Dolan set hoop nets

baited with fish carcasses. May 2009 Outdoor Illinois / 5