Wood turtle in exhibit
Scientific Name
Glyptemys insculpta
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Range
Southeastern Canada to northeastern United States
Habitat
Rivers, streams, and surrounding lands
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Wood turtle in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Endangered Endangered Status Graph - Endangered

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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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