Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: TURTLE, WESTERN CHICKEN

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: REPTILIA

Order: TESTUDINES

Family: EMYDIDAE

Genus: DEIROCHELYS

Species: RETICULARIA

SubSpecies: MIARIA

Taxonomic Authority: SCHWARTZ

Taxonomy References: 016 , 001 , 004 , 022

Status

NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G5T5

Status References: 020 , 003 , 012 , 013

Habitat Summary

"Occur near cypress-bordered ponds, swamps, sloughs, or streams. Require downed logs. Prefer areas with emergent vegetation. Cypress bordered ponds and permanent wetlands are important."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - swamp"

References: 001 , 002 , 005

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Restricted to bootheel area of Missouri *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BUTLER BOLLINGER ADAIR
DUNKLIN CAPE GIRARDEAU ANDREW
NEW MADRID MISSISSIPPI ATCHISON
RIPLEY PEMISCOT AUDRAIN
STODDARD SCOTT BARRY
WAYNE BARTON
BATES
BENTON
BOONE
BUCHANAN
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 015 , 017 , 018 , 021 , 001 , 023

Distribution by Watersheds

Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Area Bordered by Black R. and St. Francis R. South of Quintan, MO
Black R.
Current R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Lacustrine
Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"See Comments"
"Lacustrine, littoral"
"Palustrine", "Aquatic bed, rooted vascular"
"Palustrine", "Aquatic bed, unknown submergent"
"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent"
"Palustrine", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous"
"Riverine, intermittent", "Aquatic bed, unknown submergent"
"Riverine, intermittent", "Emergent, persistent"
"Riverine, intermittent", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous"
"Riverine, intermittent", "Streambed, organic"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 006

Habitat Types:

Swamp
Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 001 , 002 , 007

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 003 , 006

Adult Food Habits

Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Amphibians; Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 003 , 006 , 010

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Aquatic habitat zone: prefers the shallows with emergent vegetation (littoral zone)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: waterhole or temporary pool
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Natural features: pools
Natural features: bottomland
Soil type: sandy soil
Edge: edge specified in comments(00350)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic habitat zone: prefers the shallows with emergent vegetation (littoral zone)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Natural features: pools
Natural features: bottomland
Soil type: sandy soil
Edge: edge specified in comments(00350)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Aquatic habitat zone: prefers the shallows with emergent vegetation (littoral zone)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Natural features: pools
Natural features: bottomland
Soil type: sandy soil
Edge: edge specified in comments(00350)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Aquatic habitat zone: prefers the shallows with emergent vegetation (littoral zone)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Natural features: pools
Natural features: bottomland
Soil type: sandy soil
Edge: edge specified in comments(00350)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 019 , 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic habitat zone: prefers the shallows with emergent vegetation (littoral zone)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Canopy closure (%) specified in comments(00530)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Edge: edge specified in comments(00350)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: waterhole or temporary pool
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: pools
Soil type: sandy soil
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: seasonally flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
023 Females become sterile at 180 mm plastron length or begin biennial or triennial reproductive cycles *05*.
007 In SC, eggs are laid in spring and fall *14*
016 Nest is cylindrical,about 4" deep, and 3" in diameter *06*.
017 In SC, eggs incubated at 29 degrees C. hatched in 152 days *14*
018 Clutch size 5-15 eggs *10*. In SC, clutch size averaged 8, was weakly correlated with female's body size *14*
022 Males reach maturity at 75-85 mm plastron length, approximately 2nd or 3rd growing season. Females reach maturity at about 160 mm plastron length (eastern population)*05*.
030 Adult gravid females active in early spring. Both sexes active in early April. Adult males active in late spring *05*. Are active mid-March to October *15*
035 Racoons,skunks,and other mammals eat eggs. Juveniles are prey of fish, snakes,alligators,otters,racoons,and large wading birds. Man is probably the worst threat to adults *06*.
099 Young may overwinter in nest (sc population) *05*.

Life History Information

Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: hole in the ground
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Development of young at birth/hatching: precocial
Parental care of young: no care
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Maximum breeding age specified in comments(023)
Basking site: logs

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
023 Females become sterile at 180 mm plastron length or begin biennial or triennial reproductive cycles *05*.
007 In SC, eggs are laid in spring and fall *14*
016 Nest is cylindrical,about 4" deep, and 3" in diameter *06*.
017 In SC, eggs incubated at 29 degrees C. hatched in 152 days *14*
018 Clutch size 5-15 eggs *10*. In SC, clutch size averaged 8, was weakly correlated with female's body size *14*
022 Males reach maturity at 75-85 mm plastron length, approximately 2nd or 3rd growing season. Females reach maturity at about 160 mm plastron length (eastern population)*05*.
030 Adult gravid females active in early spring. Both sexes active in early April. Adult males active in late spring *05*. Are active mid-March to October *15*
035 Racoons,skunks,and other mammals eat eggs. Juveniles are prey of fish, snakes,alligators,otters,racoons,and large wading birds. Man is probably the worst threat to adults *06*.
099 Young may overwinter in nest (sc population) *05*.

References for life history: 015 , 001 , 003 , 006 , 010 , 014

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain stream structures
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Water - exclude livestock from water
Water - restrict human disturbance
Water - develop/maintain brushpiles along water's edge
Water - establish/maintain basking logs near shore

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 003 , 006 , 009 , 010 , 011

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - dredging and filling
Water - control water levels
Water - control aquatic plants
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 001 , 003 , 006 , 009 , 010 , 011

Comments on Management:
Should maintain natural habitat conditions, including a diverse native plant community, with normal water fluctuations in swamps, marshes and oxbow lakes. Drawdown and moist soil management are generally detrimental. Providing basking logs near shore will enhance marshes, swamps and oxbow lakes. *03* historic turtle nesting sites should be identified and protected. Turtles are slow to respond to change and have difficulty moving to a new site if an historic site is lost or altered. *03*

References for Management Comments: 003

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Anderson, P. 1965. The Reptiles Of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia, Mo. 330pp.
002 Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Of Eastern And Central North America, 2nd Ed. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston 429pp
003 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
004 Schwartz, A. 1956. Geographic Variation In The Chicken Turtle. Fieldiana:Zoology 34:461-503
005 Gibbons, J.W. 1969. Ecology And Population Dynamics Of The Chicken Turtle(Deirochelys Reticularia). Copeia 1969:669
006 Ernst, C.H. and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles Of The United States. The Univ. Press Of Kentucky, Lexington. 347 Pp.
007 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
008 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
009 Hutchison, V.H., H. Szarski, A. Vinegar, And R.J. Kosh. 1966. Critical Thermal Maxima In Turtles. Herpetelolgica 22(1):32-41
010 Carr, A. 1952. Handbook Of Turtles. Comstock Publishing Associates. Cornell Univ. Press. Ithaca. 542pp.
011 Marchand, L.J. 1945. The Individual Range Of Some Florida Turtles. Copeia 1945:75-77.
012 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
013 Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
014 Congdon, J.D., J.W. Gibbons and J.L. Greene. 1983. Parental Investment In The Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys Reticularia). Ecology 64:419-425.
015 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
016 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
017 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
018 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
019 Buhlman, K.A. 1995. Habitat Use, Terrestrial Movements, And Conservation Of The Turtle, Dierochelys Reticularia In Virginia. J. Herp. 29(2):173-181.
020 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
021 Daniel, R.D. and B.S. Edmond. 2001. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles From Missouri For 2001. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 14:7-12.
022 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
023 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2007. New Herpetological Records from Missouri for 2006. Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter 20:10-13.