Scientific Name: Glyptemys insculpta
Size: 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern

Habitat Type:
Open meadows, bogs, deciduous and coniferous forest, old fields, medium rivers, to small second-order streams.

Colorations:

• The carapace background color is greyish brown to brown with a series of yellow and black radiating lines on each side of the carapacial scutes.
• The plastron is yellow with oblong dark blotches on each scute.
• The marginals and bridge underneath have dark square blotches along the posterior outer corners of each scute.
• The skin of the head, neck, legs, and tail are dark brown to almost black dorsally, and bright red to orangish-red ventrally.
• The head may have faint speckled yellow dots.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized semi-aquatic species.
• Profile View – The carapace is low with a distinct middorsal keel.
• Above View – The carapace is elongate in outline with strong flaring posterior marginals and serrated.
• Growth rings give the carapacial scutes a raised, irregular pyramidal appearance.
• The plastron is large and smooth; the bridge is broad.
• The head and neck are large and flat.
• The upper jaw is strongly notched at the tip.
• The legs are well-developed and strong.
• The snout is non-projecting.

Juvenile coloration and characteristics:

• The plastral scutes contain black squareish patches.
• The carapace is low in profile and almost circular in outline.
• Lacks the rough carapacial scutes.
• The posterior marginals are strongly flared.
• Extremely long tail.

Confused with:

• Box Turtle

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Juveniles

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 210-215pp.
• Ernst, Carl H. and Lovich, Jeffrey E., and Barbour, Roger W. ,1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. 222-233pp.

Photo Credits:

• Bob Hamilton
• Wayne Fidler
• Chris O’Neill