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Stopped In Their Tracks: Assessing The Effects Of Anthropogenic Barriers On Gopherus Polyphemmus, Bridget Vincent, Katelyn S. Lanctot, Rhett M. Rautsaw, Scott A. Martin, M. Rebecca Bolt, Richard A. Siegel
Stopped In Their Tracks: Assessing The Effects Of Anthropogenic Barriers On Gopherus Polyphemmus, Bridget Vincent, Katelyn S. Lanctot, Rhett M. Rautsaw, Scott A. Martin, M. Rebecca Bolt, Richard A. Siegel
Bridget Vincent
Roads are known to hinder gene flow and fragment habitat for terrestrial organisms, including Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). However, railroad tracks may cause similar problems as tortoises often become trapped in the tracks and face mortality from overheating and dehydration. To test the effect railroad tracks have on Gopher Tortoises, 12 adult tortoises familiar with the tracks and 12 unfamiliar with the tracks were placed in a 20 meter stretch of inactive track at the Kennedy Space Center. Additionally, 12 tortoises were placed in a control area of equal size. Behavior and crossing attempts were recorded for one …