When a species is on the decline, many factors usually come into play. When it is identified that they are in decline, sometimes it may already be too late. I know that there used to be box turtles in Nueces county 30 years ago, now there are none that I am aware of. I feel like I have a handle on this county more so than any other herper here as far as what was and is now. My job allows for many miles traveling across south and east Texas. I now have to travel across two counties to see a box turtle either north or south. To the west is unkown to me, I stick mainly to the coast. I saw one dor boxie in Kenedy county last year and a luteola in Brewster. That was it. In previous years I saw three or four in Aransas county per year. I am not saying I know every population but I am saying that I see no other data being presented in my area. Most in academia consider this annectdotal or dismiss the data altogether because it is not backed up by the papers you want presented. I only want to see the papers you are quoting if you are going to ask for the opposite data.

I believe that these turtles are threatened and need some type of protection. Until you and I and many others can add to a database that all will accredit, all our info is annectdotal. I really hope we all can join forces and put down our differences. We have some ground to cover yet.



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Todd Hughes

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