Texas Turtles

Did you know that Texas is home to half the turtle diversity in the United States as well as more than 30 million people?  That's why understanding a cornerstone animal such as turtles can be crucial for managing our environmental resources. Also because turtles are really awesome animals! We utilize unrivaled expert field experience, modern conservation and scientific applications as well as landowner and stakeholder involvement to generate break through discoveries about our native turtles that provide scientific insights and guide conservation policies at the state and federal level. Currently we operate multiple research sites often with a focus on a protected species. Field work at designated research sites includes marking and recapture with transponders for determining population estimates and revealing long term life trends. All of our field work activities are carried out in guidance with scientific research permits issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife. 

Alligator snapping Turtle

We currently have study sites in Cherokee, Hardin, Liberty, and Tarrant Counties: Access to all of these study sites are granted via landowner cooperation and have provided the first comprehensive insights regarding the reproductive biology of wild alligator snapping turtles in Texasnot receive any state or federal funding. We rely solely on tax-deductible donations from the public

Texas Tortoise and Ornate Box Turtle

Our Atascosa County study site encompasses 170 acres of pristine thorn scrub habitat and is home to one of the most robust populations of Texas tortoises in the state. This study is conducted in close cooperation with the landowners and provides crucial insights regarding abundance and biology of this threatened species and its terrestrial congener the ornate box turtle.

General Turtle Surveys

Our annual turtle survey at Fair Park's Leonhardt Lagoon in Dallas, Texas epitomizes the value of citizen science and utilizes a diverse range of participants. This survey help us better understand the dynamics of a historic and rich turtle population while providing a community outreach event.

Statewide Photographic documentation

We have documented more turtles from more counties in Texas than anyone else. Our innovative approach to obtaining photographic vouchers has not only enhanced our knowledge of where each species of turtle lives in Texas but also their unique behaviors in the wild and conditions that can affect them.

Scientific Resource

Material from our scientific specimen collection which consist of fluid preserved and skeletonized specimens can be utilized by qualified researchers and is endorsed by Vertnet, iDigbio, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and Texas Parks and Wildlife. All of the voucher specimens in the collection were salvaged.  Additionally, we maintain a tissue collection for genomic or other biological analysis and a comprehensive digital archive of thousands of photographs and several videos. We also have one of the largest herpetological libraries in Texas with more than 1,000 book titles alone. We are also leaders in publishing findings regarding turtles in Texas and have produced more peer review content regarding our state's turtles than any other source!

Simply put, there's not another organization in the world with a focus on turtles native to the Lone Star State that comes close to our commitment and ability to effectively conduct turtle field work, research and outreach education in Texas.

Our Needs

Your generosity allows us to cover expenses related to travel to study sites, replacing worn out equipment and other costs directly connected to our research efforts. No budget is afforded for salaries. We do not receive any state or federal funding and rely solely on tax-deductible donations from the public.