Over a Hundred Turtles on the North Fork Holston

Author: Ty Smith
County: Scott 
Survey Time: 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Basic Weather: Clear, Temps in the 80’s
Party Members: Ty Smith & Lindsey Hottinger

We were finally back in Virginia after herping Tennessee for a day, and ready to look for some turtles. We picked a spot near Hiltons VA, where the river ran along the road with a narrow strip of private land between the two. It was a nice stretch of sandy water, with several large basking rocks and logs. The sight looked promising, and our timing with the sun was excellent. So, we drove and scoped the river for any cool species. We had: 

Northern Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera spinifera) {6}
There were three juveniles basking on rocks along the river as well as an individual that looked good for an adult male. Farther down on a log with several turtles of all species on the list, we had two large females. 

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) {120+}
Several individuals of all ages seen basking on rocks and logs as well as some swimming in the river. 

Cumberland Slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) {4}
This was a pleasant surprise, and I really was not expecting to find any of these in this unscouted place with no records I could find for the general location. They were all on the same log, one male, two females, and an adolescent. They were basking with about two dozen Map Turtles and the two female Softshell. No physical signs of integration with Red-eared Sliders, which is really good as well. It seems the non native subspecies has been pushing the Cumberland Slider out of its normal range.