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AUTHORS. Kirsten D. Hunt, Central Michigan University; Alaini C. Schneider, Central Michigan University; John J. Moriarty, Three Rivers Park District; Timothy L. Lewis, University of St. Thomas; Jennifer T. McGuire, University of St. Thomas; Bradley J. Swanson, Central Michigan University
ABSTRACT. We studied the home range and movements of spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in an urban lake at the northern extent of their range (Medicine Lake, Plymouth, Minnesota). From May 2016 to October 2017, we captured and marked 290 individuals and equipped 25 of each species with a radio-transmitter to track regularly for one to two years. We calculated a home range for each individual using asymptote analysis and minimum convex polygons (MCP). Mean home range for spiny softshell turtles (160 ha, N=20) was significantly larger than home ranges for painted turtles (13 ha, N=16) and snapping turtles (16 ha, N=13). We found no significant differences in home range between sexes in painted turtles and snapping turtles; although we found a significant difference in home range between male and female spiny softshell turtles (P=0.014) with greater home range for females. We observed female spiny softshell turtles using the whole lake resulting in overlapping ranges with painted turtles and snapping turtles; while painted turtles and snapping turtles showed overlapping home ranges in regions of the lake.
