Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Spotted Turtle



Spotted Turtle

  • Habitat: Shallow wetlands
  • Range: Eastern panhandle in West Virginia
  • Ecosystem Importance: Control larval insect population
http://www.marshall.edu/herp/Old/spottedturtle.htm

  • Eating: Worms, slugs, grass
  • Offspring: 3 to 5 eggs per clutch (2 clutches a year)
  • Mating: Males chase females underwater while biting at her legs and carapace, then mounts her shell, biting at her head and neck
http://sk.collarisweb.com/uploads/5/6/9/2/5692433/3953951_orig.jpg

  • Life Cycle: 25-30 years
  • Adult Size: Top shell has a length ranging from 3.5-5.4 inches  
  • Identification: Yellow spots on dark shell
http://www.kwfn.ca/spotted-turtle-2-Joe-Crowley_Clemmys-guttata.jpg

http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Clemmys_guttata/
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/reptiles/spotted-turtle/
http://www.marshall.edu/herp/Old/spottedturtle.htm