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Spotted Turtle

Clemmys guttata

Description:

The "polka-dot" turtle has yellow spots on the head, neck, legs, and upper shell or carapace. Background coloration is black. The number and arrangement of spots is extremely variable and changes with age. Hatchling turtles usually have one spot on each plate, while older individuals are well sprinkled with 100 or more. Occasionally, individuals without any spots on the shells may be found, but they still have yellow and orange markings on the face. The lower shell or plastron is yellow and black in color. Male spotted turtles have dark pigment on the hard portions of both jaws; females have yellowish coloration there. Spotted turtles measure 3.5-5.0 inches (9-12.7 cm) in length. Spotted turtles are active from March to October and may be seen singly or in groups basking in the sun. The breeding season extends from March to May. In May, at the end of breeding season, females leave the breeding pools in search of nesting areas. They may wander a good distance and, unfortunately, many are killed crossing roadways. An open site, such as a meadow, field, or the edge of a road, is most often chosen for nesting. Digging typically begins in the evening. The female digs the nest, measuring 2 inches deep and 2 inches in diameter, with her hind legs and feet. She rests when the cavity is complete, then begins to lay the eggs. Only 3-4 eggs are laid. The female then covers the eggs, as most turtles do, but goes one step further in disguising the nest. She smooths the dirt by dragging her body over the ground. In about 11 weeks, the 1-inch hatchlings emerge and head for wet, grassy areas in search of food and shelter. Sexual maturity is reached in 8-10 years and most individuals live for at least 25 years. Some members of this species probably reach 50. Diet consists of snails, worms, slugs, and spiders. Daylight hours are spent eating and basking in the sun. In the evening, spotted turtles submerge and spend the night on the pond bottom.

Habitat:

They use shallow water bodies, including unpolluted bogs, pond edges, ditches, marshes, fens, vernal pools, red maple swamps, and slow-moving streams. Water bodies with a soft, murky bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation are preferred. Spotted turtles will seek out other wetlands if their habitat becomes unsuitable. Upland habitats also are used for nesting, aestivating, and travel corridors between wetlands.

Notes:

Loss of habitat has been largely responsible for the major decline of the spotted turtle throughout its entire New York range. In the early 1900's, it was reported to be the most common turtle in the vicinity of New York City. This turtle is very sensitive to pollution and toxicants and disappears rapidly with declining water quality.

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keithp2012
Spotted by
keithp2012

Laurel Hollow, New York, USA

Spotted on Aug 22, 2012
Submitted on Aug 22, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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