As Canadians manipulate natural habitats for farmland development and urbanization, the consideration for wildlife management of species including the Blanding’s Turtle becomes increasingly important. Recognized as an umbrella species, the Blanding’s Turtle may be a representative animal for its habitat and therefore monitoring its health may assist in selecting appropriate conservation strategies. Recognizing the decline in the size of many Blanding’s Turtle populations, several studies have investigated the behaviour and life-history of this species to better understand the factors threatening its existence. In a study monitoring the movement patterns of freshwater turtles, Gibbons (1986) noted that excursions by females for suitable nesting
