Bog Turtle by Audrey Bolesta

What is the bog turtle?

 The bog turtle, scientifically called Glyptemys muhlenbergii, is a freshwater turtle found most commonly in the northeast region of the U.S. It measures 4 inches long and is light brown in color, with small red or yellow blotches on each side of its head.

 Bog turtles spend September through April in hibernation with each other and other spotted turtles. Mating most often occurs in spring near the winter hibernation location. By early summer, a few eggs are laid in a nest. Those two to four eggs hatch by early fall, remain in the nest during the winter, and leave the following spring. Bog turtles can begin reproducing at 8 years old and can live for over 30 years.

The bog turtles generally live in wet meadows. As a semi-aquatic animal, it spends time basking in the sun and in slow-moving water. The best habitats for these turtles contain “dry pockets, saturated areas, and areas that are periodically flooded”. Bog turtles most often eat small seeds, insects and bugs.

How has the population and geography of the bog turtle changed?

The bog turtle is found in two different locations on the east coast. The northern population stretches from Massachusetts to Maryland, while the southern population can be found 250 miles south from Virginia to Georgia. In addition, small populations, most of whom have gone extinct from habitat change, were found in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. Habitat destruction has caused the area and population of the turtle to shrink significantly in last half decade.

What is the type and date of listing?

The bog turtle was listed as threatened in 1997.

Why was the bog turtle originally listed and what continues to threaten its existence?

The bog turtle is primarily threatened by the habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, and the illegal wildlife trade. Habitat degradation is most often caused by direct human actions, but also can be caused by threats from invasive species.

When habitats become unfit for the turtle, the turtles are forced to flee the dilapidated sites and look for new homes. In the case of the wetland habitat, humans often drain the areas to make room for new buildings. With the increase in residential and commercial building on the east coast in the last 50 years and invasive plants altering wetlands , there are fewer habitats remaining that are suitable for bog turtles. With less habitat, it is more difficult to reproduce. Reproduction is further hindered in the north with a colder climate and shorter breeding season. The threats are exasperated by poor regulation of the turtle habitat. Zoning ordinances often don’t take into account the potential of habitat destruction when buildings are proposed. In addition, new road and transportation projects cut off the turtle’s potential migration routes to more suitable habitats.

Finally, the species is threatened by the illegal pet trade, with wild collections depleting populations of the bog turtle.

What is the recovery plan?

There are three main parts to the bog turtle recovery plan:

1. Support for thriving bog habitats: Research will be done to identify the aspects of the ideal turtle habitat and findings will be used to protect and find real and potential sites for the bog turtle. The government will take a more active role in protecting the animal by implementing more protections when it comes to building permits.
2. Searches and creation of new populations: Scientists will search for previously unknown populations and will relocate parts of existing populations to new sites to develop new populations of their own.
3. Stop illegal trade: Better and more effective law enforcement will curtail the illegal trade. New training and protocol will be introduced.

What can you do?

Since many habitats are found on private lands, homeowners have a unique opportunity to help the threatened bog turtle. If you live in the range of the bog turtle and have potential habitat, contact local government officials and your property can be considered for habitat with conservation efforts. In addition, be mindful of the bog turtle’s habitat when planning building and construction projects on your property. Finally, if you discover any potentially illegal actions associated with the turtle, contact wildlife authorities.

Sources:

Klemens, Michael. Wildlife Conservation Society. Bog Turtle, Northern Population Recovery Plan. Bronx:  2001.

New York. Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Bog Turtle Fact Sheet. Albany.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bog Turtle. New York Field Office, 2017.

Pictures:

Endangered Species Coalition

NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Video:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service