CCP 07-14-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ c.t(~ I I LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION DESCRIPTION: .. The Blanding's turtle is a medium to large turtle WTIh a black or darK blue. do"'e-shaped snell....nh muted yellow spots and bars. The bottom of the shell is hinged across the front thlro enabling the turtle to pull the (rant edge of the lower shell firmly against the top shell to provide additional pretection when I threatened The head and appendages are darK brown or blue-gray WIth small dots of light brown or yellow A distinctive field marl< is the bright yellow chin and nacK. Adult Blanding's turtles have an average shell length o( 9 to 10 inches. HABITAT: I Shallow, slow-moving water with mud bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetacon are preferred by Blanding's turtles. Extensive marshes bordering rivers provide excellent haMat In Minnesota, Blanding'S I turtles are primarily marsh and pond inhab~ants but may also be found in streams aM laKes. They are frequently found with snapping and painted turtles. Blanding's turtles hibernate on the bottom of marshes and ponds. Undeveloped sandy g(asslands are vital for nesting s~es. Wrthout appropriate nesong habitat populaoons gradually decline through lack of recru~ment of young lurtles into the population I LIFE HISTORY: Indo,iduals emerge from overwintering and begin basking in late April on warm. sunny days. I Nesting occurs during June in Minnesola. Females are most active in lale afternoon and at dusk. After traveling up 10 1 mile to lay eggs, females may hide near a bUSh and relurn to the marsh the next day, especially in the early morning. The nest is dug by the female in an open sandy area where 6-15 eggs are laid. After a development period of approximately two months, hatchlings leave the nest from mid-August I to early-October. Often. they must make a long overland trek to find water. Blanding's turtles are mild mannered and do not attempt to Me. If molested or threatened they simply pull into their shell and wait for danger to pass. Eggs and young Blanding's turtles are eaten by ~ raccoons. skunks, and predatory birds. Adults are particularly vulnerable to being struck by aulomobiles while crossing roads. RECOMMENDATIONS: I The DNR offern the following land use guidelines so that as little harm as possible comes to these rare turtles. . Workern should be informed of the presence of Blanding's turtles in the area. . Roads should be kept to minimal standards on widths and lanes. I , Roads should be ditched, not curbed or below grade. If curbs must be used 4" high curbs at a 3:1 slope are preferred. Blanding's turtles have great difficulty climbing traditional curbs. Curbs and below grade roads trap turtles on the road increaslng road kills. 1 . When working near wetlands set up slit fencing to keep turtles out of construction areas. it is critical that silt fences be removed after the area has been revegetated. . . Ditches should not be mowed until at!er October 1 st. . Culverts connecting wetland areas should be over-slzed and elliptical or box to facilitate turtle I movements between wetlands (contact the DNR Nongame Specialist for additional information). . Utility access and maintenance roads should be kept to a minimum. . Vegetation management under power lines should be done mechanically and between October 1 st I and June 1st Chemicals should not 00 used. . Below ground utility construction sltes should 00 returned to original grade. Erosion should be prevented from reaching wetlands and lakes. I . Graded areas should be revegetated with nallve grasses and forbs. Use of fertilizern and pesticides should be avoided. . All wetlands should be protected from road run-off, lawn and other chemical run-off by a vegetated buffer strip. We recommend a. minimum buffer of SO'. This area should be let! unmowed and in a I natural condition. . Shallow. vegetated wetlands (Type 2 & 3) should not be dredged or deepened. . Landscaping should be let! as natural as possible, trees should not be planted in known nesting .. sites. . Terrain should be left with as much natural conlour as possible. . Road placement should avoid separating wetlands from adjacent uplands and should avoid bisecting wetlands. . I . Report slghtings of Blanding's turtles to the DNR Regional Nongame Specialist. -------