Threatened and endangered species feature: spotted turtle

Wildlife Viewing

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Threatened and endangered species feature: spotted turtle

 

Through generous support from DTE Energy, the DNR is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Michigan’s Endangered Species Act from now through September.   Each week, an important species will be featured.

 

Spotted turtles are arguably the prettiest turtle species that inhabits Michigan, but sadly they are also the rarest. This small turtle is easily recognizable by its dark black shells with scattered yellow spots. Underneath, it's yellow or orange with alternating black markings, but it may occasionally be mostly black. This turtle doesn’t get very big, about 3-5 inches in diameter. Males have a black chin, whereas females have a much brighter orange or reddish chin. Males also have a longer, thicker tail. In most adults, males have brownish eyes, while females have orange eyes.

 

Spotted turtles can almost always be found in or near wetlands with shallow, clean water and a mud or silt bottom. They prefer areas with a lot of vegetation. Their habitats include boggy ponds, prairie fens, grassy marshes and sphagnum seepages. Spotted turtles are incredibly cold-tolerant and are among the first turtle species to begin basking in the early spring. As temperatures rise, spotted turtles become quite difficult to find, since they like to dig into the mud during the hottest and driest parts of the summer. They have been known to hang around temporary, shallow wet areas during the spring months in Michigan.

 

They like to eat both plants and animals, in­cluding algae, leaves of soft aquatic plants and water lily seeds. An­i­mal foods in­clude worms, mol­lusks, crus­taceans, in­sects, am­phib­ian eggs and lar­vae, and car­rion.

Unfortunately the story of this species in Michigan and across its range is saddening. Spotted turtles have experienced severe declines due to habitat loss by the draining of wetlands for agriculture, road mortality, nest predation and illegal collection. These declines have been so severe that the species is listed as threatened in Michigan. Spotted turtles are rare and are found in scattered locations in the southern and western parts of the Lower Peninsula.

 

You can help keep spotted turtles roaming Michigan by reducing chemical applications to land surfaces, protecting wetlands by maintaining a vegetated buffer around them and leaving the turtles in their wild home when you find them. Do not collect wild turtles as pets. Enjoy them in their wild habitats.

 

You can report observations of reptiles and amphibians around Michigan to the Michigan Herp Atlas Project at www.miherpatlas.org.

 

There are several other easy ways you can help conserve this unique turtle:

• Buy a wildlife habitat license plate.  
• Buy a Living Resources wildlife patch.  
• Simply make a tax-deductible donation.  
• Learn about creating wildlife habitat on your property.  
• Learn more about Michigan's amphibians and reptiles, and share this information with family and friends. 

For more information on Michigan's threatened and endangered species and the 40th-anniversary celebration, visit www.michigan.gov/wildlife.

Photo credit: Jim Harding