Hibernation habitat selection by the threatened Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in the Yellow River wetlands of Northwest China: Implications for conservation management

Hibernation is a crucial aspect of the life history of freshwater turtles inhabiting temperate regions. Therefore, understanding their hibernation habitat selection is essential for the targeted conservation of turtle species and their habitats. The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), a medium-sized freshwater turtle, is widely distributed in China; however, populations are rapidly declining, threatened by habitat destruction, overfishing, and water pollution. Little is known regarding this species’ habitat selection during the winter months. In 2020–2022, we equipped 22 P. sinensis with radio transmitters (VHF), and we successfully relocated 13 turtles, 11 of which buried in submerged substrates and 2 buried in terrestrial soil for hibernation. In aquatic habitats, turtles preferred ponded areas formed during the dry period of the Yellow River with low water velocity and less anthropogenic disturbance. However, we found little evidence for the selection of dissolved oxygen ..., , , # Hibernation habitat selection by the threatened Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in the Yellow River wetlands of Northwest China: Implications for conservation management

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c2fqz61js](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c2fqz61js)

## Description of the data and file structure

Qingjun Zhu, Meiling Hong, Qiutong Xie, Fei Kong, Liu Lin and Hai-tao Shi

Data for the hibernation habitat selection of the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensisi). The study area is located in Dali County, Shaanxi Province, China. We use radio-telemetry to locate the hibernation site of turtles, a multifunctional water quality detector to measure the environmental variables of aquatic hibernation sites and randomly generated sites, and a thermometer to measure the temperature of terrestrial hibernation sites.

Contact Qingjun Zhu ([Hainan Normal University]([e-mail])) with any questions.

Data files include:

### Data_environment variables.xlsx

This file ...