Small Vernal Home Ranges in the Namaqualand Speckled Tortoise,Homopus signatus

Abstract

Abstract In some herbivores, home range size is correlated negatively with the primary productivity of their environments. Although the South African Succulent Karoo is arid, it receives relatively predictable winter rainfall and therefore relatively predictable primary production toward the following spring. Lush springs may alternate with occasional drought years. Over five spring seasons with variable rainfall patterns, I studied home range size in 21 male and 31 female Namaqualand Speckled Tortoises (Homopus signatus) in the Succulent Karoo using opportunistic sightings, thread-trailing, and radio telemetry. In addition, daily movement distances were determined for 8 males and 28 females with the use of thread-trailing over three spring seasons. The average home range size for H. signatus was 3,470 m2, much smaller than home ranges for tortoises in other arid regions. Home range size did not differ between the sexes, but was negatively correlated with rainfall. Daily movement distances were also simil...