From a distance, the Chicken Turtle looks like a painted turtle or red-eared slider – a small to medium sized pond/basking turtle. Following model development, we characterized Western Chicken Turtle habitat alteration across 115 counties in east and south Texas. 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. However, the comparatively understudied western chicken turtle (D. r. miaria) has been shown to exhibit some reproductive characteristics that differ from the other subspecies. This site was designed with the .com. Protection Status. When viewed dorsally, the carapace … The carapace has a brown to grey base color with a distinctive reticulate pattern (think ‘irregular chain link fence’). 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. It ranges from Oklahoma to Virginia, and along the Gulf of Mexico. Chicken turtles are sometimes killed on roads as they migrate between habitats. Pricing Help Me Choose. Chicken turtles can live to 20 to 24 years of age. There are a total of 9 collectors and 9 collection dates for the species. Habits and Life History. There are three subspecies: The Florida Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys chrysea) is found in Florida. 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. Reptile western chicken turtle sitting on isolated backdrop. Create your website today. ), but efforts during 1989-1992 failed to record more than nine live individuals. WESTERN CHICKEN TURTLE (Deirochelys reticularia miaria), (SCHWARTZ, 1956) IDENTIFICATION : 4-10 inches (10-25.4 cm). Western Chicken Turtles are omnivorous, eating crayfish, fish, fruits, insects, invertebrates, frogs, and tadpoles, while also eating some plants. comm. It was apparently common in the early 1970s (C. A. Pague, pers. Eggs overwinter in the nest and emerge a year or more after eggs were laid. Although they are mostly carnivorous at birth they will still eat plants. 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. 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 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. Sources and Credits Western Chicken Turtle. The Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) is considered rare and declining throughout its range, although no population surveys have been conducted range-wide. Western Chicken Turtle Working Group. Englisch-Deutsch-Übersetzungen für western chicken turtle im Online-Wörterbuch dict.cc (Deutschwörterbuch). 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. 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. Deirochelys reticularia (Western Chicken Turtle) is native to Missouri. The Florida Chicken Turtle is found only in the lower two-thirds of the state of Florida. Deirochelys reticularia is found in coastal areas from Virginia to Texas and northward into Oklahoma and Arkansas. File Size. Biologists believe the species may be affected by habitat loss and vehicular traffic. pixels inches cm. The eastern chicken turtle species is listed as state threatened in Virginia. The Chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia), is a cold-blooded uncommon freshwater turtle found in the southeast of the United States. WCTWG is a group of professionals, citizen scientists, and naturalists working to promote the conservation of the Western Chicken Turtle. It’s easily identified by its extraordinarily long, striped neck and oval brown or olive shell. 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. Chicken turtle populations are currently considered stable throughout their range, although they do face potential threats. In Arkansas you can mainly find the western chicken turtle in the western and central parts of the state. Collection Summary. Western Chicken Turtles can live anywhere from 12-20 years. website builder. Deirochelys reticularia (Western Chicken Turtle) has a total of 11 valid, non-duplicated collections representing 6 counties and 11 localities. 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. 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. During the first year of their life they are almost completely carnivorous. The Western chicken turtle ranges across the South eastern United States. Habitat destruction reduces suitable habitat for foraging, migration, and hibernation. Western Chicken Turtle habitat across states in the USA with documented historical locality data for the species. Start Now Near Plumerville, Conway County, Arkansas, USA In the reflection, you can see the vertical stripes of the "seat of the pants"...a characteristic used to identify the species. Geographic Range. Save Comp. The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has been conducting research on the Western Chicken Turtle in Texas since 2015.. Also, the Eastern Chicken Turtle’s range does not extend as far north as the range of the Western Chicken Turtle. Western Chicken Turtle - Deirochelys reticularia miaria. Chicken turtles, made up of three subspecies, are found in suitable habitat throughout the southeastern United States. Temperament and Defense. Habitats. 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). Chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia) are generally characterized as having atypical reproductive characteristics relative to other sympatric emydids. It is in the monotypic genus Deirochelys . A small to medium-sized turtle with an egg-shaped shell, it can grow to be 4 – 6 inches in length. Conservation. Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) Often found basking near water, the Western Chicken turtle, or Deirochelys reticularia miaria. Range Chicken Turtles are found in south eastern United States from Virginia to Texas and north to Oklahoma and Arkansas. 64 likes. 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). Prey and Hunting Techniques . Despite the listing decision planned for 2024, the current status of the species and its habitat are not well understood. 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