Maple Waltner

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Biology

Advisor(s)

Matthew Chatfield

Committee Members

Noah Charney, Tobias Hrynick

Graduation Year

May 2025

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Behavior science is a broad field that covers many areas including behavior allocation. This study aims to explore the behavior allocation of North American wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta), a species of endangered freshwater turtle native to Maine. From 2021–2024, we collected data from a population of wood turtles in central Maine. This data included individual, sex, age, behavior, whether the turtle was terrestrial or aquatic, and other factors. In this study, I analyze how their behavior differed throughout their active period from April to November, between male and females, and in relation to temperature. I found that in warmer temperatures wood turtles are much more likely to be on land. There was also a significant difference between the time males and females spent in the water, and no significant difference between the time spent in the water between juveniles and females. Furthermore, I found that the kinds of behaviors exhibited were dependent on temperature. There was also a significant difference in turtle behavior among some individuals. Lastly, I found that for all turtles there was seasonal variation in activity time allocation: There were no significant differences between females, males, and juveniles during the emergence/nesting season (1 April – 30 June). During the post-nesting season (1 July – 15 September) there was a significant difference between females and males, as well as females and juveniles. During the fall season (16 September – 5 November), when turtles return to their overwintering streams, there was a significant difference between males and females. This study contributes to our knowledge of wood turtle seasonal cycles and fills a gap in our understanding of behaviors in the wild.

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