Justin A

Research

Surprisingly, the natural history of this common species is unknown in West Virginia. They are found all over the state along hiking trails, backyards, and agricultural fields. Sadly, they fall victim to road kill since they are often seen crossing roads and also illegal collecting of the pet trade. Habitat fragmentation, or splitting up a habitat by adding roads or other human structures has decimated, not just box turtle populations, but many other species of animals as well. Many northern states such as Michigan, Connecticut, and Massachusetts listed this animal as a species of special concern. As of this moment, they are listed as S5 in this state because they are so common. I fear that in many years this may change. The objective of this study is to provide the Marshall Herpetology Museum and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources with as much preliminary natural history data, before it is too late.

I will be researching the habitat, plant communities found in habitats, home ranges, daily behaviors and activities, food analysis, and courtship and nesting.

Biography

I am from the little town of Brooksville, KY (population: 800). I graduated from Bracken County High School in 2003. I got my AS at Maysville Community and Technical College in 2005 and my BS in Biology at Eastern Kentucky University in 2007. My love for animals has stemmed from growing up with a veterinarian as a father. As a boy, we have had: dogs, cats, ducks, fish, and guinea pigs. I raised pigs every summer on our small farm to save money for college as my Future Farmers of America project. I have had fire-bellied toads and African-clawed frogs, but the most memorable pet was my red-eared slider, Leo (yes, he was named for Leonardo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). One summer, while in high school, I got the opportunity to intern at the Newport Aquarium around Cincinnati, OH. This was the moment I realized that I wanted a career with animals. My goal in life is to educate the general public the importance of animals to our environmental health as well as the their importance to worldwide conservation efforts if we are to sustain our own species.

Beth

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