Research Article

Unusual Winter Activity of Some Amphibian and Reptile Species Living in Bozcaada (Çanakkale, Turkey)

Volume: 7 Number: 3 September 30, 2022
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Unusual Winter Activity of Some Amphibian and Reptile Species Living in Bozcaada (Çanakkale, Turkey)

Abstract

Amphibians and reptiles spend their winter months in the hibernation period under the ground in response to adverse weather conditions. It was established that some species of amphibians and reptiles are active before the periods when hibernation is supposed to end. One of the reasons for the occurrence of unusual winter activity in amphibian and reptile species may be that these species are very sensitive to changing temperature conditions. The effects of global warming on amphibians and reptiles are clearly visible, and some members of these groups may be active even in winter because of these effects. In this study, data on the unusual winter activity of Lissotriton schmidtleri, Mauremys rivulata, Testudo graeca, Hemidactylus turcicus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Ophisops elegans and Ablepharus kitaibelii species living in Bozcaada, Çanakkale Province, were reported.

Keywords

Amphibia , Bozcaada , Climate , Hibernation , Reptilia , Winter Activity

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