Home range and movements of the bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) in Maryland

We studied the home ranges and movements of 50 bog turtles (Clemmys muhlenb ergii) at two sites in Harford County, Maryland, from April 1996 to August 1997. These sites differ in size, land use, and stage of vegetative success ion. One site (HA406) was intensively studied 17 years ago. Using radiotele metry, we located turtles two times a week during the active season. The 95 % Adaptive Kernel home range estimator was used to determine home ranges. I ndividual turtle home ranges varied from 0.003 ha to 3.12 ha with considera ble variation between sites and years. There were no significant difference s in home range size or movements between sexes or seasons (mating vs, post mating) although males had larger home ranges during the mating season. Man y turtles at site HA406 had home ranges far larger than the average home ra nge reported in the earlier study. An expansion in turtle home ranges may s uggest a decrease in site quality resulting from invasion of multiflora ros e. Some turtles moved out of their wetlands and across barriers, a finding that demonstrates the importance of appropriate habitat in corridors that c onnect populations.