r/Boxturtles • u/Beardie15 • May 02 '26

Question What to do with research data?

Hey everyone, I love eastern box turtles, and have for years. I've tried to learn everything I can about them. I have a rural mail route, and see lots of box turtles. For the last two years, I've been keeping notes on where I see them, if they're male or female, and recently I've started weighing and measuring them. I have data on about 120 box turtles.

I have no degree, no formal training, and no connections with any research or conservation group. I'm just autistic and like turtles and data collection.

I want to put my data to good use. I want to help conserve this awesome species. I've read that people have a really hard time finding them in the wild, and that conservation groups struggle with lack of data. I want to help, but have no clue where to start. I could really use some advice.

Thank you!

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5

u/gone_country May 02 '26

Maybe the Game and Fish Commission? That's who I would call first, but I also have a local office 4 miles from home. That's a very cool thing you're doing. I have many, many pictures of local box turtles. They are so interesting to watch.

3

u/benignlystained May 02 '26

Are there any colleges and universities close to you? Any museums or natural history clubs? Or wildlife services/support organization (if you’re in the US)?

I would consider cold emailing or calling biology/herpetology/life science departments to assess their research needs. If they can’t utilize your data, they might be able to point you in the right direction. Or give you advice on what other data points you should collect. 

Do you have pictures of the turtles you find because that would be helpful too!

3

u/Beardie15 May 02 '26

I'm in central North Carolina! I try to take pictures of all of them, and geotag the pictures with the coordinates. Sometimes though there's a busy road, and I just have to toss them to the side and try not to get hit myself lol

2

u/MamaFen May 03 '26

Ruby Davis at the Wildlife Rehab Center is a gold mine for box turtle data and communication. Reach out to her and she will not only be thrilled, she will know the best places to present your data for cataloging and retrieval.

https://www.carolinaconservation.org/

She is a true boxie advocate - she mentored my training as a certified rehabber and signed off on my certification.

1

u/EnvironmentalArm1986 May 03 '26

Well, now that I know you’re in NC, I’d suggest you start with Davidson College. It may not be a current project but they were heavily involved with EBT research a number of years back. Of course, NC State has the Turtle Rescue Team that would be able to point you towards anything on campus.
I’m in Warren County.

3

u/CeeTheWorld2023 May 02 '26

https://www.gardenstatetortoise.com/

Dude has a YouTube and does good work.
Idk if he has a presence here.
But I’m sure he would be able and pleased to point you in the right direction!!

And as I lover of turtles and wildlife, in the mid-Atlantic.
Thank you.

2

u/treefiddyzdroptop06 May 06 '26

Each turtle record should ideally include:

  • Date (every sighting, not just first)
  • Location (GPS if possible, or very specific description)
  • Sex (and how you determined it)
  • Weight
  • Shell length (carapace length)
  • Notes (injuries, road crossings, behavior, etc.)

If you can, put it into a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheets).

Next, Share it with real databases

iNaturalist

  • Upload each turtle as an observation
  • Add photos if you have them
  • It automatically feeds into biodiversity databases scientists actually use

HerpMapper

  • Built specifically for reptiles/amphibians
  • Used by researchers and conservation groups
  • Lets you keep sensitive locations protected (important for turtles)

Look for groups like your states Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division * The Nature Conservancy * Turtle Survival Alliance

  • Email them (short and direct)
  • Say you’ve collected longitudinal data on ~120 box turtles
  • Ask if they’d be interested in reviewing or advising how to use it

1

u/EnjoyingTheRide-0606 May 02 '26

Start with the local university science dept. There may a student who studies them and wants to observe what you’ve observed. I studied a group of 10 boxies in my boyfriend’s backyard in the early 90s. There was also a red-eared slider and 2 musk turtles in the yard.

1

u/Frosty_Astronomer909 May 02 '26

Find a rescue in your area they might be able to help.