A medium turtle with a distinctive bright yellow chin and throat and a high-domed black shell with yellow spotting. Among the slowest-maturing North American turtles — they don't breed until age 14–25.

Native status: Native; endangered

§ Quick facts

SizeShell length 13–25 cm (5–10 in)
Weight450–900 g (1–2 lb)
LifespanWild 80+ years
OrderTestudines
FamilyEmydidae

§ Encyclopedia

Blanding's turtle is a species of semi-aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae. This species is native to central and eastern parts of Canada and the United States. It is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range. Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or no common signs of aging and is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life.

Source: Wikipedia — Blanding's turtle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Black domed shell; distinctive bright yellow throat and chin (giving the name); yellow-spotted head.

Similar species. Spotted Turtle (smaller, more spots). Wood Turtle (sculpted shell, no yellow throat).

Voice. Hisses defensively.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Omnivorous: insects, snails, fish, plants.

Behavior. Northern populations endangered. Among the longest-lived US turtles. Returns to natal wet meadows to nest.

§ Range

Great Lakes, NE US, scattered isolates

§ Habitat

Marshes, swamps, ephemeral wetlands, vernal pools

§ Threats

Wetland drainage, road mortality (especially adult females moving to nest), invasive subsidized predators (raccoons, skunks).

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the blanding's turtle is currently classified as Endangered.

§ What helps

Build wildlife road crossings. Support wetland protection. Don't collect from wild.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Turtle Conservation Coalition
  • USFWS Blanding's Turtle Working Group
  • IUCN Red List 2011