Depredation of gravid freshwater turtles by Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

Authors

  • Alyson Karson Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry/ Fleming College
  • Siow Yan Jennifer Angoh Trent University
  • Christina M. Davy Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry / Trent University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v132i2.2043

Keywords:

Additive mortality, depredation, predator, Raccoon, Procyon lotor, Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, Northern Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica, Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, Ontario

Abstract

During summer 2017, we found 19 dead or fatally wounded adult female turtles belonging to three at-risk species at a nesting site on the north shore of Lake Erie, Ontario. Individuals were found flipped onto their carapace, had similar holes in their body cavities, and were eviscerated. Their eggs had also been consumed. Although turtle nest depredation by Raccoons (Procyon lotor) is common, it is unusual for them to target large numbers of gravid turtles within a season. Depredated species included Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), and Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Our observation represents a spike in additive mortality for these populations, which could have long-term demographic consequences.

Author Biographies

Siow Yan Jennifer Angoh, Trent University

Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, PhD Student

Christina M. Davy, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry / Trent University

Research Scientist, Species at Risk

Adjunct Professor, Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program

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Published

2019-01-01

Issue

Section

Articles