Glyptemys insculpta inhabits northeastern North America (Minnesota east to Nova Scotia and New England, and south to Virginia). This semiaquatic turtle occurs in forests, fields, and wet meadows, always near clear streams and rivers. Its carapace is tan or grayish-brown, with a central keel, 14-23 cm in length. The head is dark gray, but the neck and legs are orange. Females excavate nests in May-July, and lay a clutch of 8-15 eggs. This species is omnivorous and feeds on plant matter (including fungi), invertebrates, and carrion. G. insculpta hibernates in the winter (November-March), in the mud at the river bottom, and may aestivate during the hottest months in the summer. Wood Turtle faces a range of threats, including predations of adults, young and eggs by Raccoons and other common predators, habitat modification, road mortality, and illegal collection.

		10881 Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) Huron County, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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