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Horvath, E.; Kanuch, P.; Uhrin, M.
Predation on nests of the European pond turtle (_Emys orbicularis_): remarks from failed field experiments
2021 Herpetology Notes (14): 1067-1072
The viability of many turtle species, including the European pond turtle (_Emys orbicularis_), is imperilled by nest depredation. Depredation rates of the _E. orbicularis _population in eastern Slovakia are high; therefore, we aimed to identify nest predators and to determine which sensory cues they use to find the nests. From the set of different experimental trials with artificial nests in the field, only the application of turtle-scented water imitating the female migration path to the nesting site suggested potential predation of turtle nests driven by olfactory cues. Although we did not observe depredation of the installed artificial nests, we identified badgers (_Meles meles_), wildcats (_Felis silvestri_s), and wild boars (_Sus scrofa_) as potential predators. Our results also imply that the use of chemical repellents should be considered for nest protection of the study species in Tajba National Nature Reserve.
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