We investigated the influence of sex and depth of body on escapes from hoop nets by red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) to assess if escapes from traps potentially biased estimates of structure of populations. Turtles remained in traps ≥34 h and traps were checked at ca. 12-h intervals. Depth of body was not a significant variable in escapes from hoop nets, but sex was a significant variable, with only females escaping. This study provides evidence that previous reports on the inefficiency of hoop nets and on rates of captures that are male-biased could result from escapes rather than differential attraction to traps.
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1 March 2011
Escapes from Hoop Nets by Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta)
Donald J. Brown,
Bei DeVolld,
Michael R. J. Forstner
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The Southwestern Naturalist
Vol. 56 • No. 1
March 2011
Vol. 56 • No. 1
March 2011