Spotted Turtle

Description:

Captured in a vernal pool with a dip net. The spotted turtle is a small species that rarely exceeds five inches in length. Its smooth carapace (shell) is slate gray or black with a variable number of bright yellow spots. Hatchling turtles usually have one spot on each plate, while older individuals are well sprinkled with 100 or more.

Habitat:

Inhabits a variety of wetland types, including vernal pools, swamps, bogs and marshes, small streams, wet meadows, and early and mature wet forests.

Notes:

The species is listed as threatened in several states and endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species.