Nesting, Nest Predation and Hatchling Emergence of the Carolina Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin centrata, in Northeastern Florida

Abstract

Abstract In 1997 and 2000 we monitored nesting by diamondback terrapins daily from 1 May through 31 October at a beach on an island in northeastern Florida. During our visits we recorded and marked newly oviposited intact nests, monitored previously marked nests for depredation, hatching or washout and identified nest predators. We recorded nest deposition from late April through late July, but most nests were found in June (2000) or July (1997). Most nests were depredated within 48 h of oviposition. Most depredated nests were found in June or July, and those from July included both newly deposited and recently hatched nests. Depredated nests in August and September were all recently hatched. The major nest predators were raccoons, but we also noted crows, boat-tailed grackles, armadillos, ghost crabs and two species of plant roots. Hatching and emergence began in early July and continued into October. The mean emergence period for 54 nests was 68.9 d. In 1997, 21.9% of marked nests were washed out by hig...