North American Box Turtles are opportunistic generalists with omnivorous tendencies, but diets of box turtles are known to vary by population, region, and season. Relatively few studies have examined the diet of Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene bauri). By analyzing fecal samples and direct observations of feeding, we describe the diet of Florida Box Turtles in a coastal area in southern Florida. Fecal samples of turtles in this population contained four functional groups of plants and algae, 11 categories of animals, plus miscellaneous unidentifiable and mineral matter. Frequencies of occurrence differed significantly between wet and dry seasons but not between sexes. Seeds of the invasive Beach Cabbage (Scaevola taccada) were among the most frequently detected plant items, whereas Coffee Bean Snails (Melampus coffea) and ocypodid crabs were the most frequently encountered animal items.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.