Eastern Box Turtle Environmental Analysis

The overall captive environment in general can have an effect on a turtle. Like stated earlier in the paper, an “enriched” environment that mimics the natural environment is better for a turtle physiologically and psychologically, than a more sterile environment. Case, Lewbart, and Doerr (2005) researched the physiological and behavioral effects of an enriched environment in comparison to an unenriched environment in the species Eastern Box Turtles. 38, captive or wild caught, Eastern Box Turtles were the subjects of the study. The researchers hypothesized that a captive environment that was similar to a natural environment would be better for the Eastern Box Turtles. To test the hypothesis, the researchers measured the turtle’s heart rates, body weights, and food consumption. Complete blood cell counts and fecal corticosterone tests were also performed on the turtles. Behavioral measurements were recorded using video monitoring. The results of the study supported the

Research shows that the amount of stress hormones is different in male and female turtles. For example, the plasma corticosterone concentration was shown to be higher in male turtles than in the female turtles under the same stress situations (Moore & Jessop, 2003). Moore and Jessop (2003) also discuss other factors that affect the amount of stress hormones that are produced. These factors include reproduction, age, and the immune system. When looking at reproduction cycles, some breeding turtles have a reduced adrenocortical response while exposed to stressors in comparison to nonbreeding turtles. Age is another factor that affects the amount of stress hormones a turtle produces. Younger turtles produce higher adrenocortical responses in comparison to mature turtles. A turtle’s state of health can increase its sensitivity to stressors. Turtles in poor health have increased corticosterone levels than healthy