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Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
a.k.a
Semi-Box Turtle

http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/turtles/blanding%27s_turtle_3.jpg

I. Physical Characteristics

  • Size
    • Medium range
    • Shell length - 7 to 9 inches
    • Very long necks
    • Domed, oblong shell that's flattened along midline
    • Males are larger than females
  • Markings
    • Adults
      • Yellow chin and throat
      • Blue-black limbs
      • Shell
        • a. Carapace (upper shell)
          • i. Dark background
          • ii. Dotted or streaked with yellow-gray 
        • b. Plastron (under shell)
          • Yellow background
          • Dark blotches regularly arranged
    • Hatchlings
      • Dark gray to green in color
      • Protective as to blend in with surroundings


II. Habitat and Lifestyle

  • Semi-aquatic
  • Grassy marshes with shallow water
  • Access to plenty of sun
  • Hibernation
    • Underwater
    • Near water
  • Live up to 75 years


III. Reproduction

  • Sexually mature between 15 and 20 years
  • Breeding usually in early spring
  • Mating frequently takes place in the water
  • Females
    • Nest and lay eggs on land
    • Frequently lay eggs in afternoon/early evening
    • "Thermoregulation" - sun themselves to speed development of eggs prior to laying them
    • Tavel up to 1½ miles to nest and return to same site annually
    • Average of 8 eggs, but ranges 5-12
    • Return to water after laying eggs
  • Hatching
    • After 65-95 days
    • Frequently in fall- September or October

 

IV. Food

  • Omnivores
  • Have the unique ability to swallow food both in and out of water
  • When in water:
    • Crustaceans
    • Snails
    • Insects
    • Frogs
    • Fishes
    • Crayfish - a favorite when available
  • When on land:
    • Earthworms
    • Slugs
    • Grasses
    • Berries
    • Various vegetation


V. Decline

  • Human intervention
    • Habitat loss - development
    • Pollution
    • Migration path danger - construction of roads traveling to and from nest
  • Nature
    • Predators - eat eggs from unattended nests
      1. Crows
      2. Skunks
      3. Raccoons - most destructive
    • Habitat loss
      1. Natural succession - change in habitat over time
      2. Wetlands gradually fill in and trees grow, etc...


VI. Preventing Extinction

  • Legislation
    • New York Status - Threatened
    • Federal Status - not listed
    • Other places they're "Threatened" including:
      1. Wisconsin
      2. Massachusetts
      3. Illinois
      4. Canada
  • Habitat preservation by being ecologically aware
  • Field surveys - collect data to preserve species
    • Mark and recapture
    • Radio telemetry techniques


VII. Where to Find Them Locally

  • Dutchess County is a 'hot spot'
  • Eleanor Roosevelt NHS
    • Damming Fall-Kill Creek by the Roosevelt family in 1925 resulted in an ideal habitat


(Specific information is not generally given as to protect the species from harm, especially 'collection.')