Nesting Frequency and Success: Implications for the Demography of Painted Turtles

Abstract

Nesting ecology and reproduction of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) in southeast Michigan were intensively studied from 1975 to 1978. The average clutch size of Michigan painted turtles was 7.55, with body size accounting for only 9—13% of the variance. Data on nesting frequency indicate that from 30 to 50% of the females possibly do not reproduce every year and that °6% reproduce twice in a given year. Predation within 48 h of egg—laying is responsible for the failure of 20% of the nests. An additional 12% nest failure is due to various other causes. These data substantially alter the life table previously reported for this population of painted turtles.