wood turtle wood turtle turtle endemic north_america genus designation given turtle turtle wood turtle reaches length centimeters defining characteristic pattern upper shell similar turtle spotted turtle turtle wood turtle exists broad range extending nova scotia north east minnesota west virginia south past forced south glaciers skeletal remains found far south georgia spends great deal time near water wide rivers preferring shallow clear streams sandy bottoms wood turtle found forests rarely seen meters flowing water overtly territorial spends winter hottest parts summer wood turtle capable eating land water average day wood turtle meters decidedly long distance animals live habitat pose threat abundant places direct threat life stages species inadvertently humans cause large number deaths habitat destruction road traffic farming accidents illegal collection unharmed live years wild years captivity taxonomy genus wood turtle member classification wood turtles share turtle turtle similar genetic makeup marginally different spotted turtle current member genus undergone extensive changes scientists course history today prominent common names wood turtle including red legged subspecies recognized morphological differences wood turtles areas individuals found west range areas like great lakes paler inside legs underside ones found east places including new_york pennsylvania genetic analysis revealed southern populations genetic diversity northern exhibit fair diversity considering decline numbers occurred previous ice ages description wood turtles grow centimeters length reach maximum centimeters rough tan grayish brown brown color central ridge called keel pattern ridges grooves older turtles typically display worn fully grown weigh kilogram wood turtle consists larger display pattern black yellow lines wood turtle ventral shell yellowish color dark patches posterior margin terminates shaped notch yellowish spots upper surface head dark gray solid black ventral surfaces neck chin legs orange red faint yellow stripes lower jaw individuals seasonal variation color known occur maturity males reach maximum length centimeters larger females recorded reach centimeters males larger claws larger head concave dome like longer tails females females juveniles flat males gains age posterior marginal females juveniles gender outward mature males coloration neck chin inner legs vibrant males females display pale yellowish color areas range size centimeters length straight measurement dull gray brown tail usually equals length neck legs lack bright coloration found adults wide long lack pattern found older turtles eastern box turtle turtle similar appearance wood turtle live overlapping habitats unlike wood turtle turtle members box turtle family allow completely close shells shell closely resembling wood turtle skin gray color inhabits coastal marshes turtle spotted turtle similar specific pattern found wood turtle distribution habitat wood turtle found new_england states nova_scotia west michigan northern indiana minnesota south virginia overall distribution populations small isolated roughly total population canada prefers slow moving streams containing sandy heavily banks soft bottoms muddy shores streams ideal areas bordering streams usually open nesting spring summer spent open areas including forests fields wet meadows beaver ponds rest year spent aforementioned waterways wood turtle populations studied northern portion range quebec areas canada populations fairly containing average individuals acres south area varied largely turtles addition found colonies females males western portion range wood turtles aquatic east wood turtles decidedly terrestrial especially summer time found wooded areas wide open far water enter days evolutionary history past wood turtle populations forced south extending glaciers remains period years ago found states georgia tennessee south current range ice wood turtle colonies able inhabit customary northern range areas like new_brunswick nova_scotia ecology behavior spring wood turtle active daytime usually found metres stream early morning late afternoon preferred foraging periods season wood turtle use logs sandy shores banks sunlight order maintain body temperatures spends considerable time takes place late morning late afternoon wood turtle reaches peak body temperature times extreme heat known reports mention individuals resting vegetation fallen debris shallow summer wood turtle considered largely terrestrial animal night average body temperature drops rest small creeks nearby land usually areas containing sort grass warmer weather wood turtle stays water larger percentage time reason winter months late fall early spring considered aquatic turtle november february march spent small flowing river wood turtle large groups period individuals bury thick mud river rarely vulnerable flash floods emergence occur march april months mark beginning activation period males typically active females time males known aggressive larger older turtles dominant larger males rank higher social hierarchy created wood turtle colonies wild turtle forced flee bombarded physical abuses include biting larger dominant males try remove subordinate male mating female defender successfully fight position lose female larger male males direct relationship opportunities social rank outcome encounters turtles aggression dependent size dependent wood turtle protective area victor physical bouts wood turtles regardless gender increases marginally fall spring times mating wood turtle feeding mainly plant matter animals land water eats prey beetles wood turtles consume specific fungi grasses insects occasion seen ground alternating hits left right feet behavior thought imitate sound falling rain causing rise surface quickly easy prey hunting wood turtle head areas dead decaying logs bottoms bushes vegetation water exhibits similar behavior searching algae beds sides stream river different animals predators pose threat wood turtle include snapping turtles cats species destroy eggs prey juveniles animals target wood turtle eggs common raven completely destroy nests encounter evidence predatory attacks wounds skin common individuals northern populations tend display southern ones addition threats wood turtles suffer movement wood turtle travel relatively fast speed upwards kilometers hour mph travels long distances months active instance turtles studied average distance covered hour period meters net displacement meters wood turtle intelligent animal capabilities mental capacity directional movement discovered completion experiment involved individual finding food maze results proved turtles locating abilities similar rat proved separate experiment male wood turtle displaced kilometers captured weeks returned original location ability wood turtle vary age groups directions travel life cycle wood turtle takes long time reach sexual maturity low ability reproduce high adult survival rate high survival rates true juveniles males establish territorial wood turtle sexually mature years age mating activity wood turtles peaks spring fall known mate portion year active observed mating december rare instance female wood turtle male turtle courtship ritual consists hours dancing usually occurs edge small stream males initiate behavior starting females shell head tail legs behavior female flee area case male follow chase occurs male female approach away continually raise extend heads time lower heads swing left right certain individuals mate male gently bite female head mount intercourse lasts minutes actual takes place water depths meters unusual occur land prominent times mating spring fall females mounted times causing reason number wood turtle found male nesting occurs july nesting areas receive ample sunlight contain soft soil free flooding devoid rocks large vegetation sites limited wood turtle colonies forcing females travel long distances search suitable site meters trip laying eggs female prepare false nests proper area found dig small cavity lay seven eggs common fill area earth oval white eggs average centimeters length centimeters width weigh grams nests centimeters deep digging filling total hours emerge nest august october rare entirely possible average length centimeters lack vibrant coloration adults female wood turtles general lay clutch year tend nesting areas wood turtle years life rapid years hatching measures centimeters age centimeters depending gender wood turtle expected live years wild captives living years conservation despite sightings seemingly large diverse distribution wood turtle numbers decline large number deaths caused humans result habitat destruction farming accidents road traffic commonly collected illegally international pet trade combined threats caused areas live enact laws protecting despite legislation enforcement laws education public species minimal proper protection wood turtle depth land surveys habitat establish population numbers needed emerging solution highway mortality problem primarily affects nesting females construction road channels tunnels allow wood turtle pass road solution helps prevent accidental deaths media warn people avoid keeping wood turtle pet currently distributed leaving nests especially common nesting sites populations best solution enable wood turtle survival
Wood turtle