Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding’s Turtle)

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blanding's turtle winking

Emydoidea blandingii is a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle species known for its distinctive yellow chin and throat and its domed carapace. This species is primarily found in the Great Lakes region of North America and is notable for its long lifespan and preference for shallow water habitats.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Emydidae
  • Genus: Emydoidea
  • Species: Emydoidea blandingii

Common Names

  • Blanding’s Turtle
  • Yellow-throated Turtle

Identification

Description

Blanding’s Turtle has a smooth, domed carapace that is dark with yellow speckles. Its most distinguishing feature is its bright yellow chin and throat, giving it a unique appearance among freshwater turtles. The plastron (the underside of the shell) is yellow with dark blotches along the seams. The average size of an adult is about 6 to 10 inches in length.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males tend to have a slightly longer and thicker tail, while females are generally larger in body size. Additionally, the plastron of males is more concave, aiding in mating.

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range

Emydoidea blandingii is native to the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, including parts of Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Some populations are also found in isolated pockets in New York, Massachusetts, and Nebraska.

Preferred Habitat

Blanding’s Turtle thrives in shallow wetlands, ponds, and marshes with dense aquatic vegetation. It prefers habitats with muddy bottoms, where it can burrow for protection and hunt for prey.

Behavior

Feeding Habits

This species is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, and vegetation. Blanding’s Turtles are known for their hunting strategy, which involves slowly stalking prey in the water.

Predators

Young turtles and eggs are highly vulnerable to predators such as raccoons, foxes, and birds. Adult turtles have fewer natural predators due to their size and tough shells, but they may still fall prey to larger mammals and humans.

Reproduction

Breeding Season

The breeding season occurs in late spring to early summer, typically between May and June.

Reproductive Method

Females lay clutches of 6-20 eggs in sandy or loamy soil, often traveling long distances from water to find suitable nesting sites. The eggs incubate for about 60 to 90 days before hatching, with the temperature influencing the sex of the hatchlings.

Conservation

Extinction Status

Blanding’s Turtle is currently listed as endangered or threatened in many parts of its range due to habitat destruction and road mortality.

Threats

The main threats to Blanding’s Turtle include habitat loss due to urban development, wetland drainage, and road mortality during nesting season. Predation on eggs and hatchlings by mammals is also a significant threat.

Conservation Measures

Conservation efforts include habitat protection, creating safe passages for turtles during migration, and captive breeding programs to boost population numbers. Some areas also have laws protecting the species and its habitats.

Economic Importance

Blanding’s Turtle has no direct economic importance to humans. However, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of wetland ecosystems by controlling insect and small fish populations.

Interesting Facts

  • Blanding’s Turtles can live over 70 years, making them one of the longest-living freshwater turtles.
  • This species has an unusually delayed sexual maturity, with females reaching breeding age at around 20 years.
  • Despite their longevity, Blanding’s Turtles are highly mobile and may travel several miles between wetland habitats.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.