Our Resident Spotted Turtle

Spotted Turtle

(Clemmys guttata)

Description: A small, dark turtle with a wide carapace covered in yellow spots. Head, Neck and Limbs are also covered in yellow and orange spots with orange coloration on the lower jaw and neck and inside of limbs.

Lifespan: Up to 30 years

Habitat: A Semi-Aquatic Species that prefers well vegetated wetlands such as marshes, swamps and woodland streams.

Range:  Primarily found in two main regions, The Eastern Seaboard from Southern Maine to North Florida and the Great Lakes Region from western New York and Pennsylvania to Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan

Diet: Spotted turtles enjoy a variety of invertebrates including snails, slugs, worms, insects and spiders.

Other Notes:  Once the most common turtle in the vicinity of New York City, this turtle is very sensitive to pollution and toxicants and is now listed as Threatened or Endangered throughout most of its range.