North American Wood Turtle Study
Since April 2003 I have been conducting a study of Glyptemys insculpta (North American Wood Turtle, a NYS species of special concern) in Putnam and Dutchess Counties, New York. To date three study females perished from heat exposure while trapped between the railroad tracks. I have found only one article addressing this problem pertaining to Eastern Box Turtles.
On my suggestion, Karen Timko of the MTA constructed “Escape Ramps”. They are placed at approximately 50 foot intervals and consist of one and a half inch diameter gravel spread from track to track and to a height just below the upper “T” of the rail. Please view the videos demonstrating their successful escape.
Hopefully 2009 will see an extension of this conservation measure as more sections of track are treated in the same fashion.
I can be reached at mmusnick@comcast.net
Owl Hoots
Photos by Roger Erickson and Michael Musnick