Spotted turtle
Clemmys guttata
Conservation Status:
Photographed by Kristof Zyskowski
Description
Spotted turtles are three to five inches long with smooth, black shells that have yellow spots. They have a yellow plastron with black spots. Their skin is dark and there are orange blotches behind the eyes and spots on all limbs. Females have yellow chins and orange eyes, while males have tan chins and brown eyes. Females are also larger than males.
Habitat
In the summer this species is mostly terrestrial, being found in fields and woodlands. In the fall and spring, they prefer wetlands such as bogs or small, shallow ponds.
Behavior
Spotted turtles are semi aquatic, staying in well vegetated areas. They commonly bask in the spring, and are inactive during the summer and winter because of extreme temperatures. They are omnivores, eating aquatic vegetation and invertebrates. This species is docile, rarely biting. In May or June they will lay two to eight eggs in soil.
Range
Present
