LE3 .A278 1997

1997

Herman, Tom

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

In 1993, Nova Scotia's Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingil) population was designated Threatened by COSEWIC (Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) due to small population size and low recruitment. The RENEW (Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife in Canada) Recovery Plan includes among its primary objectives an assessment of factors limiting productivity. This includes an investigation of the effects of predation on productivity. It has been hypothesized that low recruitment is in part a result of intensive raccoon (Procyon lotor) predation; however, there are few quantitative data on impacts of predation on Blanding's turtles within Kejimkujik National Park. The overall objective of the present study was to provide quantitative data on the predators and predation rates of turtle nests and raccoon densities and home ranges in Kejimkujik National Park, N .S., by trapping, radio-tracking and nest monitoring. Seven raccoons were captured, and two were radiocollared and followed throughout the summer. Other species captured included a skunk (Mephitis mephitis), mink (Mustela vison), and porcupine (Erethizan dorsatum). Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) nests were marked and monitored for predation. Of the 53 nests monitored all 19 predated nests occurred between June 7 and July 2, which coincided with the nesting season. The greatest nest mortality occurred in areas with intense human activity. All captures were made in areas with the heaviest predation, and often raccoons were captured on the same night that nests were predated. The female raccoon located in the group campground had a much smaller estimated home range (47.74 ha) than the male raccoon located in the Compound area (561.9 ha). Neither borne range encompassed predated turtle nests; however, the edges of the male's home range were close to predated nests.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3546