AUTHORS: Grace Allen, Missouri Western State University; Terence Mercado, Missouri Western State University; Emily McClellan, Missouri Western State University; Falcon Turner, Missouri Western State University; Mark Mills, Missouri Western State University; Darrin Welchert, US Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is listed as a species of concern or state listed (Endangered or Threatened) in every state where it occurs. In Missouri, E. blandingii is a state-endangered and is only known to occur at three locations in the state. Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge has documented less than 20 individuals since they were first observed in 1984. We initiated a study of this turtle’s spatial ecology using radio telemetry because of this species' rarity, status, and intensive wetland management that occurs in the study area. The objective of this study was to monitor what type of habitat E. blandingii inhabited, including dominant vegetation type, water depth, water temperature, home range, daily movement, wetland management, and responses to overall weather patterns.
