Blanding's Turtle

Emydoidea blandingii

About the Blanding's Turtle

Geographic Range:

Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Emydoidea blandingii
Species: blandingii

Blanding’s turtles are medium-sized, growing from 8 to 9 inches long. They're distinguished by their bright yellow chin and throat and a domed upper shell speckled with yellowish flecks or streaks. Blanding’s turtles are gentle and timid. When alarmed or threatened, they will retreat into their shell or remain submerged under water rather than attemp to bite. They eat aquatic insects, worms and tadpoles. They also hibernate under the ice from November through March. They reach sexual maturity at nearly 20 years of age and can live to an estimate of approximately 70 years.

Blanding's Turtle Facts

Appearance:

Blanding's turtles are medium-sized turtles that are mostly dark, with spotted shells. Their carapace (upper shell) is smooth and black with speckles of yellow spots and streaks. Their plastron (bottom shell) is yellow with large patches of brown or black. The plastron is hinged across the middle, allowing the turtle to pull its shell up to protect its head, neck and legs from predators. Because of this unique adaptation, Blanding's turtles are often called "semi-box turtles." They have a unique bright yellow neck and chin, and they appear to have a black moustache and lips. They have webbed feet for swimming and sharp claws for digging.

Size:

Length: Shell is 8 - 10 inches in diameter; males are typically larger
Weight: 1 - 3 pounds

Diet:

Crayfish, snails, insects, frogs, and fish, as well as vegetation and berries

Reproduction:

Their breeding season is in early spring. Females lay their eggs in sandy soil, and incubation lasts from 65 to 90 days. They typically have three to 17 hatchlings, which reach sexual maturity between 14 and 20 years of age.

Behavior:

During the winter turtles hibernate by burrowing in silt on the bottom of a pond, bay, river, or other body of water to stay warm. This allows these cold-blooded reptiles to retain their body heat, and they don't have to remain awake all winter searching for food. Blanding’s turtles are gentle and timid. When alarmed or threatened, they'll retreat into their shell or remain submerged under water rather than attempt to bite.

Habitat/range:

Blanding's turtles are found throughout much of the northeastern United States and southern Canada, west to the Great Lakes region. These turtles are semi-aquatic; they like water, but they will also go on land. They prefer to live in grassy marshes with shallow water. Occasionally, Blanding’s turtles leave the water and travel on land to search for food or bask in the sun.

Conservation:

Blanding's turtles are often prey to predators when they are hatchlings. Loss of habitat is a major concern in many areas where Blanding’s turtles live. Their conservation status is considered threatened in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Blanding's turtles are endangered in New Hampshire.

Median Life Expectancy:

70 years

You Can Help!

Blanding’s turtles are endangered due to habitat loss, getting hit by cars, and often becoming prey to predators when they're hatchlings. You can help by looking for citizen science projects in your area, such as our Field Conservation work or reporting sightings of them at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. You can also stop to help turtles with crossing roads when it's safe.

Blandingsturtle Gallery

You Can Find This Animal in the Children's Zoo , Bird's World Exhibit

Giving turtles a head-start

Learn about our award-winning efforts to give turtles a “head-start” on long-term survival.

Calling all conservationists!

ZNE's Field Conservation Department invites you to help preserve our local rare and declining species. Come outside with us, roll up your sleeves, and meet some amazing turtles, toads and salamanders.

Plan Your Visit To

Franklin Park Zoo