Reproductive Phenology and Output in Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene bauri) in Southwestern Florida

Abstract

Box turtle (Terrapene spp.) reproduction has been relatively well studied in northern populations inhabiting more seasonal climates but is much less understood in the subtropics. We assessed female reproduction of T. bauri in southwestern Florida by quantifying courtship, mating, seasonal timing of nesting, clutch frequency, and clutch size. Box turtles were observed courting or mating in 10 out of 12 mo. Radiographs revealed oviducal eggs from January to August. To our knowledge, this is the earliest recorded detection of eggs in wild box turtles. Individual turtles produced 2–4 clutches of 1–5 eggs in a nesting season. This study provides further evidence that turtle populations at warmer climates exhibit extended reproductive seasons compared with similar populations in cooler climates.