Blanding's Turtle

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Emydoidea blandingii

DESCRIPTION

The Blanding’s Turtle has a highly domed, upper shell with light-coloured flecks. The chin and neck are bright yellow.

PHOTO GALLERY

RANGE

Southern Ontario, southern Québec and part of Nova Scotia

HABITAT

Blanding’s Turtles live in nutrient rich lakes, marshes and swamps with abundant aquatic vegetation. Individuals can make use of multiple wetlands within a year, meaning that turtles will frequently move overland between wetlands. Females nest in open areas that are often more than 100 metres from wetlands. In winter, Blanding’s Turtles hibernate under water on the bottom of wetlands.

BEHAVIOUR

Blanding’s Turtles bask extensively in the spring, are active throughout the summer. They can take more than 20 years to become mature. Female Blanding’s Turtles lay one clutch of three to 25 eggs in June. The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nest during incubation. The hatchlings emerge in late summer or early fall.

Adult Size: 15-27 cm

STATUS

Endangered (Federal)   

THREATS AND/OR WHAT YOU CAN DO

Road mortality is a major threat to Blanding’s Turtles because of their movements among wetlands. The ongoing loss of wetlands also threatens this species in many areas. High rates of nest predation by raccoons can pose a threat in some areas.

NOTES

Did you know? Blanding’s Turtles can live for more than 75 years.