Photo of the Month

This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University.  Site last updated: 05/21/07.

Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps;  Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo

Bog turtle

Description

    The bog turtle, also known as the Muhlenberg’s turtle, is the smallest of the four species of the genus Clemmys and one of the rarest. They are characterized by their small size (maximum shell length of 4.25 inches) and have a bright orange or yellow blotch on each side of their head and neck.  The large carapacial scutes may have yellowish or reddish centers.  The body is dark colored with an orange-red wash on the inside of the legs of some individuals.  Bog turtles become active in late April to early June and stay active till mid-fall and hibernate for about six months over the winter.

Habitat

    Bog turtles prefer calcareous wetlands such as open sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, and wet pastures, as they rely on an abundance of grassy or mossy cover and high humidity. Open, sunny areas where the turtles can bask to raise their body temperature are also important, so they are more likely to be found in above-described types of habitats if they have open canopies as well. The turtles hibernate underwater in deep areas of bogs in about 15 - 45 cm (6 - 18 in.) of mud. Immature turtles do not hibernate in deep mud until they are 2 to 3 years old.

Breeding

    Bog turtles breed in late April to early June usually in tussocks or on sphagnum moss in sunny areas of a bog. Females lay a clutch of 2-5 eggs from June to July and leave them to develop and hatch on their own.  Hatching occurs from July to early September, but in colder climates eggs may overwinter in the nest and hatch in the following spring. The nests are often preyed on by skunks and raccoons. The carapace length of hatchlings is about 2.5 - 3.2 cm (1 - 1¼ in.).

Distribution in Maryland

Range map adapted from Harris, 1975. 

Links

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/Keynotes/bogfact.htm

http://www.tortoisereserve.org/Research/Bog_Turtles_Body2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog_turtle