Spotted Turtle Survey Protocol
How we use dogs to find Clemmys guttata
The Basics
Spotted Turtles are vernal pool specialists that spend much of their time in shallow wetlands. Our dogs can find them in their hibernacula, in aestivation, and along the tussocks and shores of their pools. Depending on water depth, our dogs may be able to locate Spotted Turtles that are underwater.
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​Usually, we have one dog at a time working. In early spring, when the water is cool, we expect each dog to work one to three hours. As the water warms and the pools dry, the dogs are able to work an increasing amount of time. Each dog is able to work for three days in a row, and then we allow them a day off to rest. Projects that are longer than 10 field days may require extra rest days.
Both dogs typically work off-leash, which is safer for the dogs in deep pools and shrub swamps. When necessary we will use a long leash (10 to 30 feet), but this reduces detection probability. The dogs generally wear a neoprene vest to protect them from the cold, and may wear safety goggles and/or boots when they are searching in dense shrubs. Their GPS collar provides our clients with a map of our search pattern.
We prefer that our dogs do not touch the turtles, so they lay down when they find a turtle or the strongest concentration of scent. We may need to feel along the bottom of the wetlands for Spotted Turtles that dive into the water and bury themselves before we can reach the dog.
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Often our clients accompany us on Spotted Turtle surveys so they can set traps and survey visually while Dr. Kris Hoffmann searches with one of the dogs.
As the handler, Kris is responsible for using scent theory and turtle behavioral ecology to guide the dog through the search area, reading canine body language to determine when a dog is in scent, and maintaining the safety of the dog. For Spotted Turtles, she pays special attention to the body temperature of the dogs. We keep towels, thermoses of hot water, and hand warmers ready to help warm the dogs as they return to their kennels in our vehicle.
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​​K9 Newt figured out how to find Spotted Turtles during a Wood Turtle survey. His handler noticed he was in scent but uncertain. With some coaxing, Newt alerted to a tiny polka-dotted turtle. Since then he has been trained formally on the scent.
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Kris can ask Newt to indicate more specifically where the source is, and he will point or poke the turtle with his nose. Once the turtle is identified as the target species, Kris rewards Newt by tossing a tennis ball.
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We are not certain if K9 April will join us for spotted turtle surveys in 2026, as we plan to spend the winter training her for easier targets. April alerts by sitting near the target and is rewarded by rough-house play with the handler.
​The Spotted Turtle Field Team
Search Patterns for Spotted Turtles
Our search strategy for spotted turtles varies depending on the client's objectives and the specific field site. We often will prioritize areas with the highest probability of detection by focusing on where is likely to host turtles (i.e. the most suitable of available habitat) and likely to have good scent movement (i.e. where the dog is most likely to smell any present turtles).
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If the interior of a wetland is unlikely to be used by spotted turtles, then we may choose to focus on searching the edge to provide maximum catch per unit effort (red line on aerial photo). Alternatively, the client's objectives require documenting movement and habitat used by individuals then we may choose to run transects across the entire pool (more similar to the yellow line).
Processing Turtles
Kris is has experience notching, PIT tagging, drawing blood, clipping claws for DNA and isotope analysis, attaching transmitters and thread bobbins, caging nests, surveying vegetation, taking GPS points and tracks, and documenting microhabitat in addition to morphology and health data.
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Our final report may include metrics on turtle locations, demographics, and detection. This will include GPS coordinates of turtles, an appendix of completed field forms, plastron images, notch and PIT numbers, and dog and handler tracks mapped in GIS. When we collect data, we often add fields related to scent available (wind direction, wind speed, and humidity) and dog behavior.
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Unless otherwise discussed, we consider all turtle data to be the property of the client. We reserve the right to use and publish data on our survey methods, but not on the biology or location of the target species.
Blood Samples
Collected from the brachial artery
Vegetation and Abiotic Habitat
Canopy cover, leaf litter depth, air and ground temperature, log decay stages, etc.
Notch Codes
Individual identification
Thread Bobbins
Locate nests and test holes
PIT Tagging
Passive Integrated Transponders
Nest Cages
Protection from predators
Transmitter Attachment
and Telemetry
Epoxied to the carapace
Claw Clips
DNA and isotope samples
Decontamination and Parasites
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Decontamination of our field gear follows NEPARC and veterinary protocols. We use 70% isopropyl alcohol to sterilize triangular files, calipers, nail clippers, and other instruments that touch turtles between individuals. Dog vests, leashes, balls and retriever dummies, and boots are soaked in a disinfectant such as 0.5% chlorohexidine solution or 10% household bleach.
When logistics allow, dogs will receive a bath with a mild dog shampoo or a flea and tick shampoo between field sites. We also wipe our dogs' fur with 0.5% chlorhexidine solution to reduce the potential for them to transfer diseases that can harm reptiles and amphibians such as Ranavirus.
We check the dogs for tick as we load them into the car, before dinner, and again before bed. Each dog takes pills for tick prevention, which kill biting ticks within 24 hours. When we are working away from wetlands and sensitive invertebrates, our dogs also wear vests treated with permethin and flea collars that kill ticks within two hours. When we travel, we treat their dog beds with permethrin.
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Please provide us with your expected schedule, including due dates for data reporting.
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Our first priority will always be the saftey of our dogs and the wildlife around them. If the area has not been surveyed before, we request time to scout the area before the start of the project. This allows us to avoid areas where the dog will not be effective or safe during the field season. Should we arrive at a site that does not contain potentially suitable habitat, the hander may choose not to search for the target species (for example, if only swiftly flowing water is available for an amphibian that requires pools of still water).
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Please inform any personnel we are likely to encounter in the field of our presence. This may include wardens, neighbors, grounds keepers, athletic coaches, and gatekeepers.
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Any specific equipment or software provided by the client must come with clear written instructions. We are not responsible for re-collecting data should the need arise due to unclear instructions or failure of equipment provided by the client.
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Please inform us in writing of all applicable policies of your organization prior to field work. This includes areas off-limits to the crew, where we are allowed to park / drive, sign-in procedures each day, communicating other field teams, storage of equipment, pet or dog policy followed by residents or employees, policies on publishing photos, policies on sharing information in presentations, etc. We will discuss with the client any policies that we may not be reasonably able to accommodate.
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The team must be informed of the existence and/or location of all hazards that are unique to the site prior to deployment. This included all hazards that would not be found in the average state park. Some examples include: electric fences, firing ranges, farm animals, heavy machinery, razor wire, guard dogs, waste water basins, etc.
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The client must inform the dog team about any current hunting and trapping seasons. Do not assume that a student / volunteer / staff has looked up your state, regional, and/or local hunting regulations. Dogs are occasionally mistaken for coyotes or shot intentionally by disgruntled hunters.