The Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, is a state endangered turtle found in wetlands in northern Illinois. Once common throughout the Chicagoland area, populations are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and road
mortality.
Studies in the Des Plaines Valley began in 1988 and we began studying the Blanding’s Turtle for the Tollway in 2005.
– Prior to construction of I-355, we used baited hoop traps, captured 3 Blanding’s Turtles and identified potential habitats
– During construction of I-355 we radio tracked 24 turtles; all survived construction.
– Following the completion of I-355, we continued tracking turtles and began incubating eggs and head-starting (captive raising) hatchlings to get them through the most vulnerable life stage.
-We monitored the impact of the Carp barrier between the Des Plaines River and the Ship and Sanitary Canal on Blanding’s Turtles
In 2007 we conducted surveys for the Blanding’s Turtle at the North Chicago Wetland Mitigation Bank. While no turtles were found, suitable habitat exists.
In 2016, we captured 14 Blanding’s Turtles in hoop traps in the I-355 corridor:
– 10 were new individuals.
– One was a head-started individual that we released in 2009.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been head starting Blanding’s Turtles since 1996, with over 2000 releases. We have monitored the DuPage County population and found that releasing 1-year-oldturtles is the most efficient strategy for conserving the population..
We are also monitoring Blanding’s Turtles in Lake County.
Read Andrea and Emily’s account of their field work
Additional information on Blanding’s Turtle studies
Other Amphibian and Reptile research
Publications:
Anthonysamy, W. J. B., M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, D. Thompson, G. M. Klut, A. R. Kuhns, D. Mauger, D. Kirk, G. A. Glowacki, M. E. Douglas, and C. A. Phillips. 2017. Population genetic evaluations within a co–distributed taxonomic group: a multi-species approach to conservation planning. Animal Conservation.21:137–147.
Banning-Anthonysamy, W.J., M.J. Dreslik, and C A. Phillips. 2013. Disruptive influences of drought on the activity of a freshwater turtle. American Midland Naturalist. 169:332–335.
Banning-Anthonysamy, W.J., M.J. Dreslik, D. Mauger, and C.A. Phillips. 2014. Habitat partitioning of five sympatric freshwater turtle species at an isolated preserve. Copeia. 2014:269–278.
Banning-Anthonysamy, W.J., M.J. Dreslik, M.R. Douglas, N.K. Marioni, and C.A. Phillips. 2014. Reproductive ecology of an endangered turtle in a fragmented landscape. Copeia. 2014:437–446.
Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. 2020. Demographic monitoring of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in 2019. INHS Technical Report 2020(2):1–47.
Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. 2020. Camera trap monitoring of turtle passage gates along the Des Plaines River carp barrier. INHS Technical Report. 2020(3):1–45.
Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. 2019. Demographic monitoring of Blanding’sTurtles (Emydoidea blandingii )at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in 2018. INHS Technical Report 2019(14):1–48.
Ross, J. P., A. A. Rahlin, S. A. Douglass, J. L. Sherwood, A. J. Stites, E. E.Bilger, T. C. Hohoff, M. L. Niemiller, A. R. Vilag, and M. J. Dreslik. 2018. Biological monitoring at streams and natural areas within the I-355 corridor in 2017. INHS Technical Report 2018(6):1–40.
Ross, J.P. and M.J. Dreslik. 2018. Surveys for the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Lower Rock Run Creek preserve system. Prepared for Forest Preserve District of Will County. INHS Technical Report. 2018 (03):1–31.
Baker, S.J., J.P. Ross, and M.J. Dreslik. 2018. Assessment of Impacts from construction activities along I-355 (mileposts 12.7-19.8) on Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). ME–18–01.
LaGrange, S.M. and M.J. Dreslik. 2018. Assessment of potential impacts from construction at the I-390/Lake St. Interchange on Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). ME–18–16.
Ross, Jason P.; Low, Kelsey M.; Dreslik, Michael J.; Spatial Ecology of a Blanding’s Turtle in Vermilion County, Illinois from 2016–18. INHS 2018 (23).
Ross, J.P., C.Y. Feng, J.K. Warner, and M.J. Dreslik. Turtle monitoring at the Interstate 355 Des Plaines River bridge crossing and the Centennial Trail Asian carp barrier. INHS Technical Report. 2017(15):1–45.
Feng, C.Y., J.P. Ross, and M.J. Dreslik. Mark-recapture surveys for Spotted and Blanding’s turtles in Will County, Illinois. INHS Technical Report. 2017(13):1–33.
Ross, J.P., J.K. Warner, M.J. Dreslik, K. Low. 2017. Spatial ecology of a Blanding’s Turtle in Vermilion County, Illinois. INHS Technical Report 2017(19):1-9.
Dreslik, M.J. and R.L. Hammond. 2016. Habitat assessment for Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and Least Bitterns (Ixobrychus exilis) at the I-355 drainage structure maintenance site. ME–16–01:1-7
Feng, C.Y. and M.J. Dreslik. 2015. Surveys for Spotted and Blanding’s turtles for Ducere LLC in Lockport, Illinois. INHS Technical Report. 2015(12):1–16.
Feng, C.Y. and M.J. Dreslik. 2015. Preliminary report on surveys for Spotted and Blanding’s turtles in the Des Plaines River valley. INHS Technical Report. 2015(16):1–52.
Dreslik, M.J., W.J. Banning, N.K. Marioni, and C.A. Phillips. 2011. Monitoring of the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) at the I–355 Des Plaines River bridge crossing: Final Report. INHS Technical Report. 2011(3):1–237.
Dreslik, M.J., N.K. Marioni, W.J. Banning, and C.A. Phillips. 2010. Monitoring of the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) at the I–355 Des Plaines River Bridge Crossing: Phase III – Post–Construction Monitoring. INHS Technical Report. 2010(2):1–153.
Dreslik, M.J., W.J. Banning, and D. Kirk. 2010. Population biology of the state endangered Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area. INHS Technical Report. 2010(11):1–50.
Kuhns, A.R. and C.A. Phillips. 2010. Status of Blanding’s Turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna. Report to: Forest Preserve District of Lake County. 40pp.
Dreslik, M.J., C.A. Phillips, and W.J. Banning. 2008. Monitoring of the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) at the I–355 Des Plaines River bridge crossing: construction phase. INHS Technical Report. 2008(11):1–63.
Kuhns, A.R., W.J. Banning, M.J. Dreslik, and C.A. Phillips. 2007. Ecology of the state threatened Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, in the Chicago wilderness region. INHS Technical Report. 2007(23):1–115.
Dreslik, M.J., W.J. Banning, C.E. Schmidt, L. Noffke, and C.A. Phillips. 2007. Spatial Ecology of the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Will County, Illinois. INHS Technical Report. 2007(12):1–154.
Banning, W.J. 2007. Nesting ecology of the Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, at the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Will County, Illinois. INHS Technical Report. 2007(40):1–25.
Dreslik, M.J. and C.A. Phillips. 2006. Monitoring results for the threatened Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Interstate I–355 south extension (FAP 340) corridor. INHS, Center for Biodiversity, Technical Report. 2006(1):1–29.
Banning, W.J., M.J. Dreslik, and C.A. Phillips. 2006. Continued study of the ecology of the freshwater turtle community at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve: with special emphasis on the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). INHS, Center for Biodiversity, Technical Report. 2006(4):1–259.
Kuhns, A.R., C.D. Benda, M J. Dreslik, and C.A. Phillips. 2006. Status of Blanding’s Turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna. Report to: Forest Preserve District of Lake County. INHS Technical Report. 2006(03):1–55.
Dreslik, M.J., D. Mauger, W.J. Banning, C.A. Phillips, and J.K. Warner. 2004. Ecology of the Blanding’s turtle (Emys blandingii) at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve. INHS, Center for Biodiversity Technical Report. 2004(21):1–102.
Dreslik, M.J., W.J. Banning, C.A. Phillips, and J.K. Warner. 2004. Turtle community composition in the north unit of Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Will County, Illinois. INHS, Center for Biodiversity Technical Report. 2004(22):1–102.
Dreslik, M.J., W.J. Banning, and C.A. Phillips. 2005. Turtle captures and radio–telemetry at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve in 2004. Report to: Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. 113pp.