Our Wood Turtle Survey Protocol
The basics of how we use dogs to find Glyptemys insculpta
The Wood Turtle Field Team
​Usually we have one dog at a time working with Dr. Kris Hoffmann on each search. 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. When they find a turtle, Kris is able to notch, PIT tag, draw blood, clip claws for DNA and isotope analysis, attach transmitters or thread bobbins, cage nests, survey vegetation, GPS, and document microhabitat in addition to morphology and health data. However, since processing a Wood Turtle often takes 20 to 30 minutes, we recommend that the client sends a researcher to collect data and free the K9 team to continue searching when possible.
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K9 Newt has years of experience locating adult and juvenile Wood Turtles and has good understanding of their habitat. He is sure to check skunk cabbage meadows, vegetated islands, holes in river banks, bases of shrubs, and basking sites. Newt remembers where turtles have been found in the past and will use these locations to maximize the probability of detecting scent. Occasionally is it clear that he has found a path and is tracking a turtle to its current location. He alerts to the turtle (or highest concentration of scent) by lying down. 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. Newt typically works off-leash, though when necessary we use a 30-foot long-line that can be dragged behind the handler to prevent tangling. Newt generally wears a vest, chest protector, and GPS collar.
Depending on progress in her training, K9 April may be able to provide additional surveys in 2026.
Transects
Our riparian K9 surveys for Wood Turtles are loosely based on the Wood Turtle Populations Assessment Protocol by the Northeast Wood Turtle Working Group (Jones et al. 2021, https://www.northeastturtles.org/). Prior to field work, we identify 1-km stream segments (yellow line on image above, edited from Jones et al. 2021) through remote sensing (National Wetland Inventory, aerial photography, etc.), discuss potential sites with clients, or visit sites. Areas where the dog cannot work due to boggy terrain, steep topography, or extremely thick vegetation will be noted and segments with limited searchable area or low airflow may not be selected for surveys.
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During surveys, the dog is asked to search a zigzag pattern along one bank, cross the river, and then zigzag back along the opposite bank and along islands (blue line in image above). Moving towards and away from the stream positions the dog to intercept a wider path of air currents, increasing the probability of detecting scent. The handler directs the dog to stay within 30 m of the stream during most surveys, but may additionally search open areas where turtles may nest or summer. Typically, the dog can search one segment per day, depending on the vegetation, and can work up to three days in a row.
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Decontamination
Decontamination of our field gear follows NEPARC protocols. Our dogs will receive a bath with a mild dog shampoo between field sites. We check the dogs for tick as we load them into the car, before dinner, and again before bed.
Data and reporting
Unless otherwise planned, we take measurements and photographs according to the Wood Turtle Populations Assessment Protocol (Jones et al. 2021), often with added fields related to scent available (wind direction, wind speed, and humidity) and dog behavior. When state permits allow, we are able to notch, PIT tag, and sample blood from each new Wood Turtle.
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. Surveys results and individual turtle data will be submitted to NortheastTurtles.org and in the final report.
Our Needs
Please provide us with your expected schedule, including due dates for data reporting.
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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.