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| The Spotted Turtle is one of Algonquin Highland’s most hard-to-find species. This is mostly due to the fact that its optimum habitat is very scattered and that they are more often found along the east coast of North America - so Algonquin Highlands is stretching its range. It is thought that the Spotted Turtle was once quite common here but habitat loss has dramatically affected their populations. Spotted Turtles are quite small, reaching a maximum shell length of just over 12 cm and the under plastron 8 cm. It takes 7-10 years for the Spotted Turtle to reach this sort of maturity. They can live up to 32 years in the wild; less time in captivity. Their shell is very dark brown or black with yellow spots in varying numbers. The one big orange coloured spot on each side of their neck and an orange pattern on the plastron makes these turtles very attractive. The Spotted Turtle is found in still shallow waters like ponds, ditches, swamps and bogs. These are the kind of wetlands that are in great need of protection. Many spots that these turtles live have been deepened to increase the waterfowl populations. It is the habitat loss and their high demand as pets that has caused these beautiful turtles to become quite rare. In fact people need special permits to study and catch them in the wild. They love the sunlight for many reasons. Their mating season is triggered by temperature and they lay their nest in direct sun. Their diet consists of worms, slugs, crayfish, tadpoles and millipedes. |
(Family Testudinidae)
Clemmys guttata
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