The bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) is a semiaquatic turtle endemic to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th century survey of Pennsylvania. It is the smallest North American turtle, measuring about 10 centimeters (4 in) long when fully grown. Its head is dark brown to black;[2] however, it has a bright yellow, orange, or red spot on each side of its neck.[5] The spot is often forked, facing posteriorly.[2] The bog turtle has a dark skin color with an orange-red wash on the inside of the legs of some individuals. The carapace is domed and rectangular in shape, and it tends to be narrower toward the head and wider toward the tail.[2] The carapace often has easily identifiable rings on the rough scales or scutes.
Ten Facts about Bog Turtle
- Reaching a maximum length of 4.5 inches.
- The adults weigh approximately 110 grams (3.9 oz) when fully grown.
- Mature male bog turtles have an average length of 9.4 centimeters (3.7 in) while the average female length is 8.9 centimeters (3.5 in).
- The bog turtle is found in the eastern United States scattered in disjunct colonies from New York and Massachusetts south to southern Tennessee and Georgia.
- They prefer calcareous wetlands (areas containing lime), including meadows, bogs, marshes, and spring seeps, that have both wet and dry regions.
- Home range size is gender dependent, averaging about 0.17 to 1.33 hectares (0.42 to 3.3 acres) for males and 0.065 to 1.26 hectares (0.16 to 3.1 acres) for females.
- The bog turtle is primarily diurnal, active during the day and sleeping at night.
- Bog turtle can survive under water without oxygen.
- Predation by raccoons and skunks, parasitism from sarcophagid fly larvae.
- It usually eat insects & earthworms.
