Blanding's turtle in exhibit

Blanding’s Turtle

Scientific Name
Emydoidea blandingii
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Range
Canada and the midwestern and northeastern United States
Habitat
Wetlands
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Blanging's turtle Endangered Status Graph - Endangered Endangered Status Graph - Endangered

More Information

Blanding’s turtles are medium-sized turtles with smooth black or gray shells that can reach 11 inches in length. Some shells have white or yellow dots. These turtles have a rounded head and a yellow throat. Blanding’s turtles prey on crustaceans, insects, frogs, and fish. They use their long necks and jaws to capture prey. After breeding, females bury their eggs in drained soil away from the water.

Did You Know?

During winter, Blanding’s turtles burrow beneath the ground and enter a state of lower metabolic activity until spring.

Special shell hinges give them extra protection against predators.

The sex of hatchlings is dependent on temperature. Eggs that incubate at temperatures below 77 degrees are nearly all male while those above 86 degrees are nearly all female.

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Species Survival Plan®

We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.

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Saving Animals From Extinction

AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction focuses the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their audiences to save species.

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Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.

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The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.

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