Spotted Turtle

Though not as easy to spot as some of our other turtles, I'll occasionally run across Spotted Turtles. Though there are other turtles with spots (especially on the carapace), light spots on a dark turtle are a pretty good way to identify Spotted Turtles (at least around here).

These turtles are neither the enthusiastic sun baskers like our sliders, cooters, and painted turtles nor big like the softshell and snapping turtles. Between the 2, it's unclear to me whether they're uncommon or just rarely in a place where I'll notice them. Either way, they're a welcome sight when I do spot them (pun intended).

As a young kid, I'd read those Dick, Sally, and Jane primer books where a common refrain was "Watch Spot run!". This particular Spot isn't known for its running ability despite the racing reputation of their relatives.

It's possible that the Great Swamp ecosystem is especially good habitat for them; 2 of my pictures came from Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and this 1 down the road at Lord Stirling Park.

May 12, 2023 at Lord Stirling Park
Photo 282422873, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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