Description
The Spotted Turtle is a small dark turtle with round
yellow spots on the carapace, head, neck
and limbs. The background colour is black and newly hatched young
may lack spots on the carapace. The carapace is neither serrated nor keeled. The plastron is creamy yellow with large black
markings. Males tend to have brown eyes and a tan chin while
females have orange eyes and a yellow chin. Maximum adult size is
14 cm.
Confusing Species
Blanding's Turtles also have
yellow markings on the carapace but these
are irregularly shaped and more numerous than those on Spotted
Turtles. In addition, Blanding's turtles have a bright yellow chin
and throat and a more highly domed carapace. Common Musk
Turtles may have light spots or streaks on the carapace when young but this are indistinct
and the carapace is much narrower than that
of the Spotted Turtle. The Wood Turtle is
similar in colour but its scutes are highly
sculpted.
Distribution
In Canada, Spotted Turtles are limited to southern
Ontario and southwestern Quebec. In the US they are found in a
band from Lake Michigan to the Atlantic coast and south along the
Atlantic coastal plain to northern Florida.
Habitat
Spotted Turtles are found in bogs, marshes and
soft-bottomed lakes and prefer areas of quiet water. They may move
short distances overland to lay their eggs and sometimes aestivate on land hidden under leaf litter
and shrubs.
Reproduction
Females reach maturity in 12-20 years. Breeding can
occur throughout the active season and sperm is stored until needed
to fertilize the eggs. From 3-7 eggs are laid in June in a nest
dug in sand or soft soil. A sunny location is usually chosen which
helps the eggs develop faster. Eggs hatch in September or October.
The gender of the offspring is temperature dependent.
Natural history
Spotted Turtles are most commonly seen is spring when
they are basking or searching for nest sites. Unlike most turtles
they aestivate in the summer, hiding for
up to two weeks at a time to avoid hot dry weather. They feed in
the water, searching for snails, aquatic insects and other prey or
vegetation at the edge of ponds and wetlands. In the fall they
enter hibernation in sheltered sites under water. Sometimes
several turtles will hibernate together. Spotted Turtles can live
for over 30 years.
Conservation Concerns
The Spotted Turtle is designated Vulnerable in Canada
by COSEWIC and in Ontario by COSSARO. It has a limited distribution in
Canada and populations are often separated by great distances. It
is also vulnerable to habitat destruction and collectors who keep
or sell them as pets.
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