Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) Description Habitats Habits and Life History Prey and Hunting Techniques: Temperament and Defense Conservation State Distribution and Abundance Gallery: Contributors Bibliography Discussion: Description. ), but efforts during 1989-1992 failed to record more than nine live individuals. Chicken Turtles are unusual among turtles in that they have a winter egg-laying period that begins in late summer and early fall, declines during the coldest months and resumes again in February and March. Following model development, we characterized Western Chicken Turtle habitat alteration across 115 counties in east and south Texas. Biologists believe the species may be affected by habitat loss and vehicular traffic. Western Chicken Turtles can live anywhere from 12-20 years. Chicken turtles, made up of three subspecies, are found in suitable habitat throughout the southeastern United States. Western Chicken Turtle habitat across states in the USA with documented historical locality data for the species. Range Chicken Turtles are found in south eastern United States from Virginia to Texas and north to Oklahoma and Arkansas. The Western Chicken Turtle, in particular, is mainly found to the west of the Mississippi River, while the Eastern Chicken Turtle will be found to the east of the Mississippi River. When viewed dorsally, the carapace … However, the comparatively understudied western chicken turtle (D. r. miaria) has been shown to exhibit some reproductive characteristics that differ from the other subspecies. Geographic Range. Chicken turtles can live to 20 to 24 years of age. Remarks: The Chicken Turtle was first discovered in Virginia on 22 August 1958 by Roger H. de Rageot and W. Leslie Burger, who found a skeleton at Cape Henry (de Rageot, 1968). pixels inches cm. Save Comp. Chicken turtle populations are currently considered stable throughout their range, although they do face potential threats. It’s easily identified by its extraordinarily long, striped neck and oval brown or olive shell. The two more temperate subspecies, the Eastern Chicken Turtle D. r. reticularia and the Western Chicken Turtle D. r. miaria, can be safely hibernated and indeed probably need the hibernation period to inspire courtship and mating in the spring and early summer. These states included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The primary objectives for this study are to conduct surveys at sites representative of all habitat types within the western chicken turtle’s range in Texas; estimate the current range and distribution and determine habitat associations for the western chicken turtle in Texas; and evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of various survey methods for western chicken turtles. This site was designed with the .com. Eggs overwinter in the nest and emerge a year or more after eggs were laid. Western Chicken Turtle Research Project Overview Quick Facts: Project Goal: To address the status of the Western hicken Turtle in Texas by con-ducting surveys, estimating range, distribution, and habitat associa-tions; and to establish best survey methodologies for the species. From a distance, the Chicken Turtle looks like a painted turtle or red-eared slider – a small to medium sized pond/basking turtle. The Western chicken turtle ranges across the South eastern United States. Collection Summary. Deirochelys reticularia (Western Chicken Turtle) has a total of 11 valid, non-duplicated collections representing 6 counties and 11 localities. The Florida Chicken Turtle is found only in the lower two-thirds of the state of Florida. Reptile western chicken turtle sitting on isolated backdrop. Deirochelys reticularia is found in coastal areas from Virginia to Texas and northward into Oklahoma and Arkansas. In cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Katy Prairie Conservancy, we are learning as much as we can about this species to identify conservation priorities and inform decisions which ensure its long-term survival. There are three subspecies: The Florida Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys chrysea) is found in Florida. Pricing Help Me Choose. Western Chicken Turtle - Deirochelys reticularia miaria. Although they are mostly carnivorous at birth they will still eat plants. It was apparently common in the early 1970s (C. A. Pague, pers. It is in the monotypic genus Deirochelys . The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has been conducting research on the Western Chicken Turtle in Texas since 2015.. In Arkansas you can mainly find the western chicken turtle in the western and central parts of the state. Western Chicken Turtle Arlington, Texas Ecological Services Field Office Western Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia miaria Description The western chicken turtle is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle that is easily identified by its extraordinarily long, striped neck. Create your website today. website builder. Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) Often found basking near water, the Western Chicken turtle, or Deirochelys reticularia miaria. Temperament and Defense. The Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) is relatively rare compared to other aquatic turtles like painted turtles or red-eared sliders, but…there is a good chance you’ve seen one and not known what you were looking at. Chicken turtles are sometimes killed on roads as they migrate between habitats. A small to medium-sized turtle with an egg-shaped shell, it can grow to be 4 – 6 inches in length. Western Chicken Turtles are omnivorous, eating crayfish, fish, fruits, insects, invertebrates, frogs, and tadpoles, while also eating some plants. The carapace has a brown to grey base color with a distinctive reticulate pattern (think ‘irregular chain link fence’). Habitat destruction reduces suitable habitat for foraging, migration, and hibernation. Protection Status. comm. The eastern chicken turtle species is listed as state threatened in Virginia. Prey and Hunting Techniques . It ranges from Oklahoma to Virginia, and along the Gulf of Mexico. Also, the Eastern Chicken Turtle’s range does not extend as far north as the range of the Western Chicken Turtle. The historic range of the western chicken turtle includes wetlands across East Texas, a region that supports numerous industries important to the Texas economy. The Chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia), is a cold-blooded uncommon freshwater turtle found in the southeast of the United States. Start Now WESTERN CHICKEN TURTLE (Deirochelys reticularia miaria), (SCHWARTZ, 1956) IDENTIFICATION : 4-10 inches (10-25.4 cm). WCTWG is a group of professionals, citizen scientists, and naturalists working to promote the conservation of the Western Chicken Turtle. There are a total of 9 collectors and 9 collection dates for the species. Conservation. Deirochelys reticularia (Western Chicken Turtle) is native to Missouri. Habitats. Habits and Life History. 64 likes. During the first year of their life they are almost completely carnivorous. Western Chicken Turtles have an historic range that includes southeastern Missouri, the coastal plain of Arkansas, Louisiana west of the Mississippi River, eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. Western Chicken Turtle. Sources and Credits Chicken turtles are medium (males)-to-large (females) basking turtles & females achieve fair bulk (females roughly on par with female RES, but males smaller than male RES). 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