Spotted Turtle

Here's a turtle that's active all summer but is easier to find in the spring, the Spotted Turtle. I'm assuming they're easier to see now because it's breeding season, and in their search for a mate they're more active and out where we can see them.

Note that spots might make a turtle spotted, but not necessarily a Spotted Turtle. Remember there are guys like the Spiny Softshell Turtle around in some locations too. But if you see a smallish dark turtle with yellowish spots, you've probably met a Spotted Turtle.

Generally speaking, Spotted Turtles get more spots on their shells as they age. With no more than 1 spot per scute on this turtle, I'm assuming it's a younger one.

Their presence is suggestive of a clean local environment; Spotted Turtles don't handle pollution very well. Their numbers are also declining due to people taking them as pets (which FWIW is against the law).

May 10, 2022 at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Photo 197981945, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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