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Spotted Turtle |
Scientific:
Clemmys guttata Schneider Description:
10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 in) One of the smallest turtles in Ontario. The
carapace is oval-shaped and unserrated. The
carapace, head, neck and limbs are black with yellow spots. The plastron
is creamy-yellowish with black blotches along border, varying to
entirely black. Eggs:
33mm (1¼ in) 3-5 white, elliptical, flexible-shelled eggs.
The eggs are laid in June and hatch in September. Nests:
In June the female digs a shallow nest in a sandy location, close to
water. Habitat:
Hibernate in bogs, spend most of the summer in marshes and may aestivate
on land for up to half the summer. They are most active during nesting
season as are other turtle species. Most likely to be found in the
southern part of the watershed closer to Georgian Bay. Life
History: They court in April and May. It
hibernates in mud over winter and can live over 40 years. Similar
Species: Midland painted turtle is
slightly larger with red on the carapace and limbs. Ecological
Role: Feeds on insects, tadpoles,
crustaceans, aquatic insects and plants. Threats:
Habitat loss, road mortality and
predation. What
you can do: Protect wetland habitat, help
them across roads and report sighting to the local OMNR. Compiled by: Angela Martin, Nipissing Naturalist. |
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