A small (4-inch) turtle covered in vivid yellow polka-dots on a black shell. One of North America's most threatened turtles — illegal collection for the pet trade is a major driver of population decline.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The spotted turtle, the only species of the genus Clemmys, is a small, semi-aquatic turtle. Their broad, smooth, low upper shell, or carapace, reaches 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) upon adulthood, and ranges in its exact colour from black to a bluish black with a number of tiny yellow round spots. The spotting patterning extends from the head, to the neck and out onto the limbs. Sexually mature males have a concave plastron and a long, thick tail. By contrast, sexually mature females possess a flat plastron and have a tail that is noticeably shorter and thinner than that of mature males. Mature males also have a dark iris and face; females typically have a yellow or orange iris and a similarly coloured face that is distinctly lighter than the males'. Juveniles appear female-like in this regard, and at maturity males begin to develop darker features.
Source: Wikipedia — Spotted turtle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small black turtle with bright yellow spots on shell and head; orange-yellow belly with dark markings.
Similar species. Bog Turtle (federally endangered; different markings). Painted Turtle (different shell pattern).
Voice. Hisses.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic invertebrates, insects, small fish, plants.
Behavior. Small turtle of wet meadows and ponds; declining throughout range due to habitat loss, road mortality, and illegal collection for pet trade.
§ Range
Eastern North America from Maine to Florida (fragmented)
§ Habitat
Shallow vernal pools, fens, sphagnum bogs, slow streams
§ Threats
Illegal pet trade collection (a primary threat), wetland drainage, road mortality of nesting females.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the spotted turtle is currently classified as Endangered.
§ What helps
Don't buy or accept "captive" spotted turtles (most are wild-caught). Report illegal collection. Support vernal pool conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Spotted turtle
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Clemmys guttata
- IUCN Red List · taxon 4969
- iNaturalist · taxon 39791
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Clemmys guttata
§ Sources cited
- State wildlife agencies
- Davidson College Herpetology Lab
- IUCN Red List 2011
