Observations on the Influence of Seasonality, Lunar Cycles, and Weather Condition on Freshwater Turtle Activity in Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

• Main Authors: Das, Indraneil, Jensen, Karen A.
• Format: E-Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asiatic Herpetological Research Society & Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science; 2008
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QL Zoology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/27028/1/322-%20Jensen%20%26%20Das%20%28Turtle%20activity%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/27028/; http://www.asiatic-herpetological.org/

Freshwater turtles were surveyed at two sites in Sarawak: Loagan Bunut National Park and Balai Ringin. Capture results were tested against environmental factors such as lunar phase, weather and seasonality to examine differences in activity level. Proportionally, soft-shelled turtles were most active during the full moon (29.0%) and the last quarter lunar phase (29.4%). Hard-shelled turtles were active during the full moon 50.0% of the time. Both soft-shelled and hard-shelled turtles were more active during overcast periods (53.0% and 66.0%, respectively). Seasonality did not seem to affect soft-shelled turtle activity, while hard-shelled turtles were active 50.0% of the time during the dry South-west Monsoon from June to September.