Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

Blanding's Turtle , St. Croix State Park, Minnesota
Photograph by Raphael Carter. GNU Free Documentation License. (view image details)

BLANDING'S TURTLE FACTS

Description
Blanding's Turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle with a bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace is domed and oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is dark with yellow or light-speckles or streaks. The plastron, or underside is yellow with dark blotches. The head and legs are dark speckled or mottled with yellow. Blanding's Turtle is timid and when alarmed will dive into the water and remain on the bottom for hours. It rarely attempts to bite.

Size
carapace length 17cm - 25cm

Environment
shallow, marshy waters, ponds, weedy coves. Hibernates in mud or under vegetation or debris.

Food
eats crustaceans, other invertebrates, fish, frogs, crayfish, plants, carrion and vegetable debris.

Breeding
Blanding's turtles nest in June. The clutch size ranges from 5-12 eggs with an average of eight. Can live to 70 years of age.

Range
found from central Nebraska and Minnesota eastward through southern Ontario and east to northern New York.

Conservation Status
LR|nt

Classification

Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Emydoidea
Species:	blandingii
Common Name:	Blanding's Turtle

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