Where do Wood Turtles typically shift their location to for overwintering?

Answer

Terrestrial burrows dug into soft, well-drained uplands near their summer feeding grounds.

The Wood Turtle undergoes a predictable seasonal shift as cold weather arrives, typically in the late fall, moving away from active aquatic feeding areas to specialized hibernation spots. These overwintering sites are generally terrestrial, consisting of burrows excavated into soft soil or utilizing natural shelters like spaces under logs or stream banks. Crucially, these hibernation areas must be situated in well-drained uplands adjacent to their summer habitats. If adjacent uplands are developed or compacted, preventing access to these safe, stable hibernation sites, the turtles face significant survival risks, demonstrating the necessity of the terrestrial component of their habitat.

Where do Wood Turtles typically shift their location to for overwintering?

Related Questions

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