Effects of human disturbance on risk‐taking behavior in painted turtles

Animals are exposed to high levels of anthropogenic disturbance, which has profound consequences for population persistence. Individuals can adjust their behavior plastically when faced with perturbations in environment and may show consistent differences the way they perceive respond risky situations. Over time, this variability among individuals response risk affect dynamics populations human disturbance. Thus, understanding how animals cope behaviorally disturbance is important, especially species vulnerable perturbations, such as turtles. In context, we evaluated whether risk-taking behaviors within individual painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) assessed these related extent along Rideau Canal, Ontario, Canada. Specifically, conducted repeated measurements number active defensive used during handling time taken escape a floating platform 730 (1117 observations) from 22 sites varying canal. We also quantified emergence water after escaping platform. First, showed all behaviors. Second, areas boat activity displayed more behaviors, while proximity houses access canal fewer. Our study highlights importance studying animal better understand impact activities on populations.