Recording & Submitting Your Data

Refer to the how-to box turtle research manual, The Box Turtle Connection, for information on collecting data.

DATA:

Data is collected 1) about the turtle on the “Capture Datasheet” and then submitted online through NC Wildlife’s PAWS portal and 2) about participant hours and miles through NC Wildlife’s Community Science “Track It Forward” account. Below are links to the data sheets and portals.

Turtle Data – Capture Datasheet (paper) and https://ncpaws.org/paws/ (online entry)

Participant/Effort Data – BTC Volunteer Hour Tracking Paper Sheet (paper) https://nc-wild.org/volunteer/hourlog/ (online)

(For more information on Hour and Mile Contributions – How to register with NC Wildlife in Track It Forward and record hours)

PROTOCOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION:

Marking Turtles — Information about marking turtles.

Observers — Record the name of the primary observer 1st, followed by others. lIf a large group was involved, just put name of group (class, club, etc) after the name of the primary observer.

Mapping Turtle Location — Information about using a GPS unit and describing the location of the turtle.

Life Stage, # of Annuli, and Determination of Sex — Information about determining the physical characteristics of box turtles.

Photo Documentation — Information about how to do photo documentation.

Measurements — see The Box Turtle Connection research manual for more information.

Injuries, Defects and Parasites — Draw on turtle diagram on Capture Datasheet to indicate location, shape, and size of injury or defect. When possible, use scientific terminology to describe where the injury, defect, or parasite is located. See p.29 in The Box Turtle Connection research manual.

Refer to The Box Turtle Connection manual for information not addressed above about how to collect the data required on the data sheet.

SUBMITTING YOUR DATA:

Logging into and using PAWS: Use the Tip Sheet for help with the online system.