Spotted Turtle

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Spotted turtles are small with yellow-orange spotted black carapace (top shell). They may also have varying sized patches of orange and yellow on their head, neck, and front legs. Hatchlings oftentimes have one spot per large scute (scale) on their shell, but in adults, spotting patterns are highly variable. The number of spots on their shell generally increases with age. Males generally have longer, thicker tails and brown eyes, while females have shorter, thinner tails and reddish orange eyes.

These big cats are brown and tan in color and males are known for their distinct males.

Range & Habitat

Spotted turtles are native to wetlands across the East Coast of the United States as well as the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. They prefer shallow aquatic areas with abundant vegetation.

Behavior

Spotted turtles are most active during the cool days of spring and fall. This is when they emerge from the water to bask in the sun on submerged logs, rocks, or grass. Typically, spotted turtles will bask in a group.

During the hottest parts of the summer, spotted turtles become inactive. They may emerge from the water and seek shelter under tree or shrub roots, staying in place to conserve energy and reducing risk of predation.

During the winter, spotted turtles dive down to the muddy bottom of their shallow aquatic habitat to brumate. While in brumation, the spotted turtles’ metabolism slows down drastically, allowing them to survive without food and with low oxygen consumption.

Diet

Spotted turtles are omnivorous. While most of their diet consists of worms, frogs, snails, and spiders, they will also eat aquatic vegetation.

Conservation

Major threats to the spotted turtle include the loss, change, and fragmentation of their habitat. The domestic pet trade also poses a threat for spotted turtle populations.

Fun Facts

• No two spotted turtles have the same pattern on their shell!
• Spotted turtles have been recorded laying more eggs in human care than in the wild! In the wild, females will typically lay one clutch of 1-8 eggs per year, but in human care one female laid a total of 42 eggs in a 13-month period.