IDENTIFICATION

 

Size:                   A medium sized turtle measuring 4.5 to 8 inches in

                            length (SLC).  

        

Color:                 Wood turtles have a brown carapace with each scute

                            sculptured and rough, resembling a carved piece of

                            wood.  The plastron is yellow with black blotches along

                            margin.  The back of limbs and neck are orange.             

 

Behavior:            Wood turtles spend the early spring, fall and winter in

    aquatic habitats.  During the spring, they can be                  observed basking along river banks. Once they leave          aquatic habitats in the spring they are rarely                        encountered due to their cryptic coloration and                    behavior. Females come into terrestrial habitats to lay          eggs in late May and June, when they are often seen          crossing roadways. Wood turtles are also seen                    crossing roadways when moving between habitat types.

      

Habitat:             Wood turtles use a variety of habitats including rivers and

                           streams for early spring and fall activities and winter

                           hibernation.  During the late spring and summer months

                           they move into floodplain habitats and the terrestrial

                           uplands associated with riparian systems including

                           forests and fields.