UTERP - Urban Turtle Ecology Research Project
During the 2009 field season, we investigated the
occurance of turtles in retention ponds throughout northern
Indianapolis. A visual survey of nearly 70 retention ponds
and other small ponds and lakes showed more than half (57%) were
inhabited by at least one of six species of turtles.
The distance between streams, rivers, lakes, and other
sources of new turtle population and the size of the pond
influenced occupancy, with larger ponds that are closer to a source
being more likely to be inhabited. We found that in general,
the density of turtles in the retention ponds is less
than that of the Central Canal where we have conducted more
extensive studies.
Check out our publications page for information on past
UTERP projects.