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Clemmys muhlenbergii (northern)
Photo Credit: Clark Shiffer
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/bogt.htm
The Bog Turtle is a member of the Emydidae family. The scientific name for the Bog Turtle is Clemmys
muhlenbergii. This animal is not endangered but it is threatened and it was first listed November 4, 1997.
With an average adult size of 3 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9 cm) and a record length of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm), the bog turtle or Muhlenberg's turtle
(Clemmys muhlenbergii) is generally considered to be the smallest turtle native to the United States. Bog turtles hatch with a carapace length of about 1 inch (2.5 cm), making them enormous hatchlings relative to their adult size.
The carapace of Muhlenberg's turtle is light brown to mahogany to black with a lighter center or, often, a yellowish or reddish sunburst pattern on each
scute. A low dorsal keel is present. Carapacial growth annuli may or may not be present, but are never as raised as those of its close relative the wood turtle
(Clemmys insculpta). Bog turtles are flat at hatching, and become more domed with age. The plastron is brown to black with small areas of a lighter hue.
The bog turtle's trademark is a large patch of orange, red or yellow on the temporal region of the head often extending onto the neck, as shown in the photograph. Occasionally, the patch is split into two parts. The dark limbs are usually suffused with red, orange, or yellow
mottlings.
Male bog turtles have a larger head, a longer, thicker tail with a more posterior vent, longer front claws, and a wider and less high shell than females. Additionally, males have a concave plastron, whereas females have a flat plastron with a wide notch at its posterior margin. Sexual maturity is thought to be at 7.0 to 7.5 cm (about 3 inches), which in the wild occurs at 5 to 8 years.
The animal's habitat is described as wetlands, shrubs, spring seeps, wet cow pastures and swamps that is located Untied States and Canada area. The range of the threatened animal habitat is GA, NY, NJ, SC, TN, and VA. The number known existed is 250 species the average life span is 20 to 30 years old. Turtle feeds opportunistically on insect, worms, slugs, crayfish, snails, and other small invertebrates.
The mating occur from late April to early June laying clutch 1-6 (usually 3-5) eggs in May, June (occasionally August) hatch 6-9 weeks late July to early September, No evidence of multiple clutches within a single season. They may migrate about 200m between winter hibernation site upstream summer ranges in some areas. Hibernating juveniles were found in a nesting in New Jersey. The turtle commonly bask on tussock in the morning in spring and early summer borrow in soft substrate of waterway, enter musket burrow during periods of inactivity in summer. Mosquito Control Via pesticide is potential in some areas may impact turtles directly or effect food supply.
The primary reason for the bog turtle's status is the draining or other destruction of its habitat. Because bog turtles have always been considered the rarest of North American turtles, they are highly valued by turtle fanciers in this country, and possibly twice as much overseas. Many, therefore, have been illegally removed for commercial purposes. Since their habitats are widely separated, other turtles are not likely to move in and replace those removed.
Although habitat destruction is the major threat to bog turtle populations, pesticides, fertilizer run-off, water pollution and collection also have significant impacts. Invasion of exotic plants, such as purple loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria) and giant reed (Phagmites australis), into bog turtle habitats in some areas has impacted on the turtles by the non-native plants forming dense patches of vegetation which impede movement and produce shade.
Many populations of bog turtles now have less than 20 individuals, and some have under 10. It is easy to see how precarious these populations are, and how collection or loss of just one individual can have an impact on the survival of the population. Current management strategies include prevention of the filling or draining of bogs, prohibition of collection, and controlled burns and tree removal to prevent loss of bog habitat by succession.
Written by Tanesha
Works Cited:
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/bogturt.html
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/bogt.htm
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