Three shallow stock ponds, behind earthen dikes in ravines, were present on the pasture. The pond near the farm buildings ("House Pond") and that in the southwestern part of the pasture ("Far Pond") were present when studies of box turtles were begun. The largest pond, in a deep ravine in the northern part of the pasture, was constructed in June, 1956, and became filled in approximately one month (Pls. [16] and [18]). Pond embankments were chiefly bare of vegetation because of trampling by cattle; in a few places at the edge of the water, or in places too steep for cattle to walk, there were small patches of weeds, sedges, and Slough Grass. The ponds contained some water at all times of the year. The only vertebrates permanently inhabiting the ponds in the course of my studies were Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and Leopard frogs (Rana pipiens).
The three parts of the pasture in which studies were concentrated were designated as separate subdivisions. The northwest corner area (28 acres) was triangular and bounded on two sides by rock fences and on its third side by a deep ravine. The southern ravine area (17 acres) constituted the part of the lower southern hillside drained by a series of ravines. The house pond area (seven acres) surrounded "House Pond." Habitat in these three subdivisions of the pasture was especially favorable for box turtles.
Materials and Methods
Observations were made at the Damm Farm on 102 days in the two-year period beginning in Autumn, 1954; observations were concentrated in the period from May to October although some observations were made in every month, January and February excepted. Field work was done chiefly in daylight hours but a few trips were made to the study area at night.
Routine handling of each turtle captured at the Damm Farm consisted of: marking, weighing and measuring turtle; recording the exact place of capture, body temperature and environmental temperature; and, recording miscellaneous items such as the presence of ectoparasites, injuries, distinctive markings, and in some instances, the approximate age of the turtle.
Excursions on the Damm Farm were made on foot in 1954 and 1955, and, in 1956, on horseback. By using a horse, more ground could be covered per unit of time, a better view could be obtained of immediate surroundings, and, cattle on the area, being accustomed to horses, did not become agitated as they would when unmounted persons were nearby.
The entire study area could not be inspected thoroughly in a single day. It was usually more profitable to find and mark turtles along fences, in ravines, or in other open areas, and subsequently to follow their movements away from these areas by means of trailing threads. Turtles could be observed from a distance through binoculars. Cultivated areas were regularly scanned with binoculars but turtles were seldom seen there. Behavior was observed by sitting motionless on rock fences or in a blind on top of a stepladder.
No box turtles were removed from the study area. Specimens obtained in other areas were used for studies of growth, reproduction, and food habits. Measurements, weights, and data concerning temperature and ectoparasites were obtained from specimens collected elsewhere as well as from individuals on study areas.
Turtles were obtained by hand-collecting and in unbaited traps; the number captured in a single day ranged from 12 to none. Traps, like those used by Packard (1956:9) for tree squirrels, were set in the mouths of burrows and dens, or—with leads to channel animals into the trap—along ravines and rock fences. Traps set in the open were covered to prevent death of turtles from overheating in direct sunlight. Live-trapping provided much valuable data, although quail, rabbits, opossums, and box turtles were caught with about equal frequency in the traps.