Wood Turtle

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
Wood Turtle - By: Bob Hamilton Wood Turtle - By: Bob Hamilton Wood Turtle - By: Bob Hamilton
Wood Turtle - By: Bob Hamilton Wood Turtle - By: Wayne Fidler Wood Turtle - By: Chris O’Neill
Wood Turtle - By: Chris O’Neill

Juveniles
Wood Turtle - By: Wayne Fidler Wood Turtle - By: Wayne Fidler Wood Turtle - By: Bob Hamilton

Range Map:
Wood Turtle 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