5.4. SR 06-05-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r-- L_ Environmental Review Fact Sheet Series -... --. --. .... -- ] Endangered, r!'bl'catencd, and. Special C'oncern Species ofl',Iinnesotu Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blalldingiz) Minnesota Status: Threatened Federal Status: none State Rank1: 82 Global Rank1: G4 HABITAT USE . Blanding's turtles need both wetland and upland habitats to complete their life cycle. The types of wetlands used include ponds; marshes, shrub swamps, bogs, and ditches and streams with slow-moving water. In Minnesota, Blanding's turtles are primarily marsh and pond inhabitants. Calm, shallow water bodies (Type 1-3 wetlands) Vrith mud bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetation (cattails, water lilies, etc.) are preferred, and extensive marshes bordering rivers provide excellent habitat. Small temporary wetlands (those that dry up in the late summer or fall) are frequently used in spring and summer -- these fishless pools are amphibian and invertebrate breeding habitat, which provides an important food source for Blanding's turtles. Also; the warmer water of these shallower areas probably aids in the development of eggs "l-Vitlrin the female turtle. Nesting occurs in open (grassy or brushy) sandy uplands, often some distance from water bodies. Frequently, nesting occurs in traditional nesting grounds on undeveloped land. Blanding's turtles have also.been knmvn to nest successfully on residential property (especially in low density housing situations), and to utilize disturbed areas such as fann fields, gardens, under power lines, and road shoulders (especially of dirt roads). Although Blanding's turtles may travel through woodlots during their seasonal movements, shady areas (including forests and lawns with shade trees) are not used for nesting. Wetlands with deeper water are needed in times of drought, and during the "tinter. Blanding's turtles ovef\vinter in the muddy bottoms of deeper marshes and ponds~ or other ~rater bodies ,,,here they are protected from freezing. LIFE HISTOR1" Individuals emerge from oven\'intering and begin basking in late March or early April on warm, sunny days. The increase in body temperature which occurs during basking is necessary for egg development within the female turtle. Nesting in Minnesota typically occurs during June, and females are most active in late afternoon and at dusk. Nesting can occur as much as a mile from ,vetlands. The nest is dug by the female in an open sandy area and 6-15 eggs are laid. The female turtle returns to the marsh ,\-ithin 24 hours of laying eggs. After a development period of approximately two months, hatchlings leave the nest from mid-August through early-October. Nesting females and hatchlings are often at risk of being killed ,'{hile crossing roads between wetlands and nesting areas. In addition to movements associated "With nesting, all ages and both sexes move between wetlands from April through November. These movements peak in June and July and again in September and October as turtles move to and from overwintering sites. In late-autumn (typically November), Blanding's turtles bury themselves in the substrate (the mud at the bottom) of deeper \vetlands to ovenvinter. IIVIP.t\CT"S / THRE~~TS / C~~USES OF DECLINE · loss of wetland habitat through drainage or flooding (conveliing wetlands into ponds or lakes) o loss of upland habitat tw'ough development or c.onversion to agriculture · human disturbance, including collection for the pet trade* and road kills during seasonal movements e increase in predator populations (skunks, racoons, etc.) which prey on nests and young *It is illegal to possess this threatened species.