Wood Turtle

The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a semi-aquatic turtle species in the family Emydidae. The species inhabits the northeastern United States and Canada. The wood turtle exists in a broad geographic range extending from Nova Scotia in the north (and east) across the Great Lakes region to Minnesota in the west, and Virginia in the south. In the past, it was forced south by encroaching glaciers: skeletal remains have been found as far south as Georgia.

The genus Glyptemys contains only one other species of turtle: the bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). The specific name, insculpta, refers to the rough, sculptured surface of the carapace.

Wood turtles spend a great deal of time in or near trout streams, small rivers, preferring clear or tannin-stained streams with compacted and sandy bottoms. The wood turtle is a disturbance-dependent species that frequents forests and forest openings but will rarely be seen more than several hundred meters from flowing water. It is diurnal and is not overtly territorial. It spends the winter underwater in brumation and the hottest parts of the summer in estivation.

The wood turtle is omnivorous and is capable of eating on land or in water. On an average day, a wood turtle will move 108 meters (354 ft), a decidedly long distance for a turtle. Many other animals that live in its habitat pose a threat to it. Raccoons are over-abundant in many places due to human activities and are a direct threat to all life stages of this species, excavating and eating the eggs, and chewing the limbs off adults.

Wood turtle populations are under high conservation concerns due to habitat destruction and fragmentation. Humans cause many deaths through habitat destruction, road traffic, farming machinery, and illegal collection. When unharmed, Wood Turtles can live at least 40 years in the wild and 58 years in captivity.