{"id":12400,"date":"2022-12-03T06:25:04","date_gmt":"2022-12-03T11:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?page_id=12400"},"modified":"2022-12-03T06:25:05","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T11:25:05","slug":"wood-turtle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/wood-turtle\/","title":{"rendered":"Wood Turtle: Key Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that wood turtles are endangered? Or that they are quite picky about the type of environment<\/a> they live in? Keep reading to learn more about these and other wood turtle key facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Facts About Wood Turtles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/td>Glyptemis insculpta<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Type of Animal:<\/strong><\/td>Reptile: Turtle<\/td><\/tr>
Number of Species:<\/strong><\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>
Description:<\/strong><\/td>Small to medium semiaquatic turtles with sculpted shells. The scutes of the carapace often have a yellow and black fan-shaped pattern, while in older turtles the colors may be a dull olive to brown color. The plastron is yellow with black markings in the lower outside portion of each scute. The neck, arms, and legs are often a bright red to orange color. Eggs are white and round, and baby wood turtles are a dull gray-green color.<\/td><\/tr>
Distribution:<\/strong><\/td>Found only in parts of eastern North America.<\/td><\/tr>
Habitat:<\/strong><\/td>Temperate riparian habitats such as clean streams and rivers, creeks, wetlands, forests, and farmland.<\/td><\/tr>
Size:<\/strong><\/td>5 to 10 inches in diameter.<\/td><\/tr>
Diet:<\/strong><\/td>Omnivore; foods include<\/a>:
– Moss
– Algae
– Grass
– Insects
– Invertebrates
– Carrion
– Mushrooms<\/td><\/tr>
Average Lifespan:<\/strong><\/td>40 to 60 years or more<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Endangered?<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are Wood Turtles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wood turtles are an endangered reptile<\/a> found in northeastern portions of the United States and southeastern parts of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These turtles are easily recognizable by the red or orange coloration on their bodies as well as the sculpted appearance of their shells. They can grow up to 10 inches in diameter, though most are a few inches smaller.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood turtles eat a wide variety of foods, including plants, mushrooms, insects, invertebrates, and carrion. During the winter, they do not eat but brumate (or hibernate) underwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood turtles can live for several decades in the wild; those in captivity may live for more than 60 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood turtles lay up to 18 eggs<\/a> each year, though most of these eggs don\u2019t survive to reach adulthood. Both baby and adult wood turtles face threats from predators, habitat loss, pollution, disease, vehicle accidents, and the pet trade.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about wood turtles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zpZ9Efn1L4M<\/a>