The Northern Neck Master Naturalists and the Virginia Herpetological Society are conducting a survey to determine the number, sex and general health of box turtles in counties of the Northern Neck.
From the last day in May, 21 Master Naturalists have scanned roadsides, scoured gardens and hiked through woods to identify box turtles, arguably the most encountered reptile in the Northern Neck, reported Robert W. Dunstan, D.V.M.
“The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources estimates there is a 32% decrease in box turtles in Virginia over the past century and this project, expected to last for many years, should help us to better understand changes in the number and health of the box turtle population where we live,” said Dr. Dunstan.
To date, 40 have been identified. Unfortunately, 25% of these turtles were dead because they were run over ….
