Look At All Those Chicken Turtles!
The chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Is a species of turtle found throughout the southeastern United States. They inhabit a variety of habitats including ponds, lakes, wetlands, and slow-moving rivers and bays; they are especially drawn to areas with dense aquatic vegetation. However, chicken turtles are also well-known for venturing onto land, especially when moving from one body of water to another.
Chicken turtles are generally small to medium size. Adults can measure up to 25.4 cm (10 in) and weigh an average of 974 g (2.15 lb). Females are typically larger than males. The top of the shell (the carapace) is dark brown with a splotchy pattern, while the sides and underside (the plastron) is bright yellow or orange. The head and limbs are also brightly colored, with olive and yellow stripes. Chicken turtles are also known for their incredibly long necks, which can stretch as long as their shell.
Both juvenile and adult chicken turtles are almost entirely carnivorous, preying on a variety of aquatic organisms including crayfish, snails, insect larvae, tadpoles, and carrion. They hunt by ambush, and by using their hyoid to create suction that pulls any nearby prey into their mouths. Thanks to their shells, adult D. reticularia have very few predators save humans. However, juveniles and eggs are often consumed by racoons, moles, snapping turtles, hawks, and fire ants.
Chicken turtles are unusual in that they will hibernate underwater, particularly in the northern reaches of their range. In September they will leave the water and bury themselves under mud and leaves until the weather warms around March and April. The mating season can also vary within D. reticularia's range, usually occurring during the hottest part of the year. During this time, the male seeks out a female and courts her with a swimming ritual that involves clawing at her face. If she is receptive, the two mate and she then digs a nest on a nearby bank and lays up to 19 eggs.
Incubation time is highly variable; eggs at the southernmost area of their range hatch after only 80 days, while eggs farther north can take as long as 150 days. Chicken turtles which hatch in the fall will often remain in the nest throughout the winter and emerge in the spring. Juveniles grow rapidly; males reach sexual maturity at only 2-3 years old, while females take 7-8 years to reach full maturity. Both sexes continue growing throughout their lives, and can live up to 24 years in the wild.
Conservation status: The chicken turtle is considered Least Concern by the IUCN, as the population is large and widely distributed. Their primary threat is habitat loss, as well as road strikes during the mating season when females are most active on land.
Photos
Todd Pierson
Raul Urgelles
Gloria Markiewicz
