USE OF HABITATS AND MICROENVIRONMENTS BY JUVENILE FLORIDA BOX TURTLES, TERRAPENE CAROLINA BAURI, ON EGMONT KEY

To understand habitat use of juvenile Florida box turtles, Terrapene carolina bauri, I combined data gathered from periodic direct observation as well as from continually monitored individuals on Egmont Key, Florida. Habitat use of juveniles differed from that of adults, but this population did not demonstrate total habitat partitioning among size classes. Juveniles were found most commonly within a single habitat type, Palm Pepper Forest, and did not display the flexibility in habitat use seen in conspecific adults. Microhabitats with dense cover, particularly Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), were used preferentially by juveniles in this population. Juvenile turtles were found most frequently in areas with leaf litter and moist soil substrates. Florida box turtles are of conservation concern, and habitat requirements of juveniles should be considered in management decisions.