In: Reptiles in Research ISBN: 978-1-62808-599-0 Editor: William I. Lutterschmidt © 2013 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Chapter 23 MOVEMENT MYSTERIES UNVEILED: SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF JUVENILE GREEN SEA TURTLES Donna J. Shaver 1 , Kristen M. Hart 2 , Ikuko Fujisaki 3 , Cynthia Rubio 1 and Autumn R. Sartain 4 1 United States National Park Service, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 2 United States Geological Survey, Southeast Ecological Science Center, Davie, Florida, US 3 University of Florida, Davie, Florida, US 4 Cherokee Nations Technology Solutions, Davie, Florida, US ABSTRACT Locations of important foraging areas are not well defined for many marine species. Unraveling these mysteries is vital to develop conservation strategies for these species, many of which are threatened or endangered. Satellite-tracking is a tool that can reveal movement patterns at both broad and fine spatial scales, in all marine environments. This chapter presents records of the longest duration track of an individual juvenile green turtle (434 days) and highest number of tracking days in any juvenile green turtle study (5483 tracking days) published to date. In this chapter, we use spatial modeling techniques to describe movements and identify foraging areas for juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) captured in a developmental habitat in south Texas, USA. Some green turtles established residency in the vicinity of their capture and release site, but most used a specific habitat feature (i.e., a jettied pass) to travel between the Gulf of Mexico and a nearby bay. Still others moved southward within the Gulf of Mexico into Mexican coastal waters, likely in response to decreasing water temperatures. These movements to waters off the coast of Mexico highlight the importance of international cooperation in restoration efforts undertaken on behalf of this imperiled species. Keywords: Conservation, movement ecology, sea turtles, spatial ecology, threatened and endangered species No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted commercially in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services.