Wood Turtle
Scientific Name
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Order
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Estimated Wild Population
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Physical Description
Wood turtles have brown shells with distinct, ornately marked segments called scutes. Their underside and legs are flecked with yellow, red, or orange markings. They are sexually dimorphic; males have longer tails and claws than females. Both sexes can reach up to nine inches in length. Omnivorous amphibians, wood turtles eat plants, animals, insects, and carrion. After breeding, these turtles deposit as many as 18 soft eggs on exposed and sandy riverbanks. After six weeks, offspring hatch and dive into the water.
Interesting Fact 1
Wood turtles stomp the ground to prompt worms, their primary food source, to wiggle to the surface.
Interesting Fact 2
It takes two decades for these turtles to reach sexual maturity.
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