The Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)is easily identified by its characteristic bright yellow throat and jaw. It has a smooth, domed shell that has been said to resemble a military helmet. A distinguishing feature of this turtle is the bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace, or upper shell, is domed, but slightly flattened along the midline, and is oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is speckled with numerous yellow or light-colored flecks or streaks on a dark background. The plastron, or lower shell, is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged. The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow.
Ten Facts about Blanding's Turtle
- The Blanding's Turtle is a medium-sized turtle with an average shell length of approximately 18 to 23 cm with a maximum of 25.5 cm (7-9 in, maximum of 10 in).
- Blanding's Turtles take 14-20 years to reach sexual maturity.
- Mating probably occurs in April and early May with nesting beginning in early June and lasting throughout the month.
- In New York, the clutch size ranges from 5-12 eggs with an average of eight.
- The Blanding's Turtle overwinters under or near water, in mud or under vegetation or debris.
- It is omnivorous, eating crustaceans and other invertebrates, fish, frogs, crayfish, carrion, berries and vegetable debris.
- The Blanding's Turtle may live to be 80 years old.
- Predation by raccoons and skunks, parasitism from sarcophagid fly larvae.
- The core of the Blanding's Turtle range occurs in the southern Great Lakes region from Nebraska in the west, Illinois in the south, and Ontario in the east.
- It is very agile and a good swimmer.
