Scientific Name: Emydoidea blandingii
Size: 6-11 inches (15-28 cm) in length
PA Status: Candidate Species
PAHERP Resource: Have you seen me? Blanding’s Turtle

Habitat Type:
Poorly drained lowlands, marshes, wet meadows, ponds, and slow-moving streams.

Colorations:

• The carapace background color is dull black to blue-black and covered with many small irregular yellow to tan spots or slightly radiating lines. Some individuals are patternless.
• The plastron background color is yellow with large black blotches that originate on the posterior lateral surface of each major scute.
• The legs and tail are blue-grey to blue-black with an occasional yellow pigment on the scales.
• The head is blue-black on the top and sides and may have brownish streaks.
• The chin and throat are bright yellow.
• The jaw may be marked with dark bars.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized semiaquatic/aquatic species.
• Side View – The carapace is low in profile and lacks a keel.
• Above View – The carapace is oblong and has smooth margins.
• The carapace surface is smooth.
• The plastron is  large and attached by ligaments; not a bony bridge.
• The legs are well-developed and the feet are webbed.
• The head is large and flat on top, and the neck is long.
• The tail is short.

Juvenile coloration and characteristics:

• Side View – The carapace is very low in profile.
• Above View – The carapace is almost circular.
• The carapace is black and lacks spots.
• The head has yellow dashes and short lines on either side.
• The plastron is yellow along the border with a larger dark central blotch.
• The tail is long and slender.

Confused with:

• Eastern Box Turtle

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 222-225pp.
• Ernst, Carl H. and Lovich, Jeffrey E., and Barbour, Roger W. ,1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. 240-249pp.

Photo Credits:

• Tom Diez
• Jeff Hankey