The Wood Turtle

The Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta)

Description: 5-9". formed by concentric growth ridges, each large carapace scute looks like an irregularpyramid. Upper shell brown and keeled, appears sculptured and rough. Plastron yellow with black blotches usually presesnt along outer margins of scutes;hingless. Skin of neck and forelegs often reddish orange. Male has concave plastron and thick tail, with anal opening beyond margin of carapace.
Breeding: One clutch of 6-8 (maximum 18) elliptical, flexible-shelled, 15/8"eggs; deposited May to June, hatch september to october. In north hatchlings may overwinter in nest.
Habitat: Cool streams in diciduous woodlands, and red maple swamps, marshy meadows, and farm country.
Range: Novia Scotia south to n. virginia and discontinuously west through s. Quebec and the Great Lakes region to e. minnesota and ne. Iowa
Facts: "Ole redlegs" is reputedly an intelligent turtle. An excellent climber, it can surmount 6-foot (1.8 m) chain-link fences. After spring downpours, it is often seen searching for worms in freshly plowed fields. it also likes slugs, insects, tadpoles, and wild fruits. The Wood Turtle was once taken for food and now suffers from overcollection and habitiat loss. It is currently protected in most states. One lived 58 years in captivity.