BE51 - Effects of Sex, Weight, and Habituation on Basking Behavior in Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta)
SCURS Disciplines
Biology
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
Behavioral thermoregulation (basking) is essential for turtles that depend on environmental temperatures for metabolic regulation. Since many turtle species are kept in captivity or used for research, it is important to understand basking needs and basking patterns. We examined sex, weight, and habituation influences on basking behavior of eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta). We predicted that females and larger turtles would bask more often, for more time per visit, and more cumulative time than males and smaller turtles, and overall basking would decrease after habituation. We collected data using EthoVision XT video software to track and quantify turtle activity on a fixed basking platform.
Basking behavior was quantified using three metrics: mean duration per visit, frequency of platform visits, and cumulative time spent on the platform. We examined a total of 32 wild-caught turtles (16 males, 15 females, and 1 unsexed). Individual turtles were placed in an environmental chamber for up to 14 days. The chamber maintained a water temperature of 20° C and an air temperature of 25° C. Based on previous observations, we categorized turtles into pre-habituation (Days 1-6) and post-habituation (Days 7-14) groups for analysis. The turtles were also categorized by their weight as small (≤ 234 g) and large (≥ 235 g) to assess weight-dependent effects. Our results showed that after habituation, overall basking increased. Males showed slightly greater mean basking duration per visit and cumulative basking duration than females, while females showed slightly greater basking frequency. Smaller turtles showed greater mean basking duration per visit and cumulative basking duration, whereas larger turtles showed slightly greater basking frequency.
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
BE51 - Effects of Sex, Weight, and Habituation on Basking Behavior in Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta)
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Behavioral thermoregulation (basking) is essential for turtles that depend on environmental temperatures for metabolic regulation. Since many turtle species are kept in captivity or used for research, it is important to understand basking needs and basking patterns. We examined sex, weight, and habituation influences on basking behavior of eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta). We predicted that females and larger turtles would bask more often, for more time per visit, and more cumulative time than males and smaller turtles, and overall basking would decrease after habituation. We collected data using EthoVision XT video software to track and quantify turtle activity on a fixed basking platform.
Basking behavior was quantified using three metrics: mean duration per visit, frequency of platform visits, and cumulative time spent on the platform. We examined a total of 32 wild-caught turtles (16 males, 15 females, and 1 unsexed). Individual turtles were placed in an environmental chamber for up to 14 days. The chamber maintained a water temperature of 20° C and an air temperature of 25° C. Based on previous observations, we categorized turtles into pre-habituation (Days 1-6) and post-habituation (Days 7-14) groups for analysis. The turtles were also categorized by their weight as small (≤ 234 g) and large (≥ 235 g) to assess weight-dependent effects. Our results showed that after habituation, overall basking increased. Males showed slightly greater mean basking duration per visit and cumulative basking duration than females, while females showed slightly greater basking frequency. Smaller turtles showed greater mean basking duration per visit and cumulative basking duration, whereas larger turtles showed slightly greater basking frequency.