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Eastern Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta picta
Description: 4 ½ - 5 7/8" (11.5-15 cm). Carapace is black to olive and smooth. Red and yellow stripes around edge of carapace, head, neck and limbs. Plastron is completely orange/yellow with no patterns. C. picta picta has straight rows of the large scutes on the carapace. Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.
Similar species in our area: All other
painted turtle (C. picta ssp.) species which have been introduced. Scute, carapace and
plastron differences in all other subspecies. Yellowbelly Sliders (Trachemys
scripta scripta) and spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) may be
confused, but coloration differs.
Lifestyle: This species is fairly common at BNL. These turtles can tolerate human pressures fairly well. They live in most permanent fresh water bodies and are sometimes found in vernal pools. Breeds from March to April. Females nest May through July. An average of 8 eggs are laid on land, and are slightly larger than 1". Young hatch in 10-11 weeks and look much like the adults.
Eastern Box Turtle - Terrapene carolina carolina
Description: 4 - 7 1/16" (10-18 cm). Extreme variability in coloration on carapace and plastron. Carapace may have ray-like designs and range in color from yellow to orange to olive to brown. The distinct highly domed shape is a key characteristic along with a hinged plastron that can seal the head of the animal into the shell. Males have red eyes, females have yellow eyes. Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.
Similar species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle: This species is common at BNL, but populations appear to be declining throughout many other parts of L.I. Populations are threatened by habitat loss and pet collection. There are many reports of pet box turtles also being released by their owners. Although this might seem like the right thing to do, releasing pet animals, whether native or non-native, is a dangerous thing to do and can spread disease to wild populations. IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL.
This turtle is our "land turtle" often found in forests, fields, and vegetated areas, although they can be found in and around shallow bodies of water. This species may mate throughout active period. 3-8 elliptical eggs laid from May though late June at about 1 3/8". Young hatch in fall, though they may overwinter in nest. Young hatch at slightly larger than 1" in length with flat carapace which is gray to brown. Yellow spot on each scute. Eggs laid on land in nest. This species is primarily diurnal. They eat berries and other high-energy plant matter, worms and other invertebrates.
Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina
Description: 8 - 18 ½" (20-47 cm). Shell and body brown to rust color. Massive head. Carapace has 3 weakly keeled rows. Small plastron, unpatterned. Rear carapace has prominent tooth-like projections. Long tail with small spikes along the upper side. Photo courtesy of Jim Harding. Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.
Similar species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle: This species is very common at BNL and is also fairly tolerant of anthropogenic disturbance. Snappers are the largest freshwater turtles found throughout our area. They are primarily aquatic, living in the mud of most permanent and temporary bodies of water, including brackish intertidal canals. Mating occurs from April through November. Nests in late May through June on land. Lays 18-83 1" spherical "ping pong ball" shaped eggs. Hatch September through October at 1". Hatchlings may overwinter in nest and emerge early the following spring. Color black/brown at hatching with white spot at the end of each marginal scute and a very rough carapace (top shell) with three discernible raised longitudinal rows. Long tail. This species is more active at night. It is sometimes seen basking and crossing roads in early spring and summer.
Snapping turtles are the stuff of legends. Their ability to damage fingers and broomsticks is greatly exaggerated, but they can deliver a painful bite. They mostly eat dead plant and animal matter, and only rarely eating unsuspecting ducklings and water birds. Their impact on fishermen is often greatly exaggerated.
Spotted Turtle - Clemmys guttata
Description: 3 1/8 - 4 ¾" (8-12 cm). Small turtle with black carapace which is usually spotted with yellow, round spots along with the head, neck and limbs. Sometimes, the spots of older individuals are lacking on shell but still on head, neck and limbs. Orange blotch behind eyes. Plastron yellow with black splotches along edges. Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.
Similar species in our area:
The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) may
be confused but has different coloration.
Lifestyle: This species is uncommon and is listed as a "Species of Special Concern" by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. This species is threatened by habitat loss and pet collection. Although uncommon at BNL spotted turtles can still be found in some scattered wetlands throughout the site. A recent translocation project has been initiated to help bolster BNL's population. This species prefers calm shallow bodies of water including slow moving streams, bogs, brackish marshes and ponds. Mates early in spring, from March to June. Nests on land May to late June depositing 3-8 elliptical, soft shelled eggs at just over 1" in size. Young hatch after 60-70 day incubation period from August to early October and may overwinter in nest (although this is doubtful). Young look much like adults. Eggs laid on land in nest. Young look much like the adults. ANY SIGHTINGS OF THIS SPECIES ON LONG ISLAND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO Tim Green or Jeremy Feinberg.
Common Musk Turtle - Sternotherus odoratus
Description: 2 3/8 - 4 ¾" (6 - 12 cm). Color of body and carapace is olive to brown, while plastron is a light brown to yellow. This species has two distinct yellowish stripes on each side of head and barbels on chin and throat. Capable of releasing displeasing musk scent when disturbed or attacked. Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.
Similar
species: Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) has similar body
shape and size but lacks yellow stripes and barbels.
Lifestyle: Musk Turtles are uncommon, but may be abundant in certain locales on L.I. May only be on L.I. This species prefers slow moving, soft bottomed steams, rivers and canals. Can sometimes be found basking out of water. Breeds April to May. Lays six, 1" long elliptical, hard shelled eggs from May to July on land. Young hatch early fall and are 5/8 - 3/4" in size. Domed shell and body black to brown. Prominent mid-dorsal keel and side keels. Yellow stripes on head and light spot on each marginal scute. ANY SIGHTINGS OF THIS SPECIES ON LONG ISLAND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO Tim Green or Jeremy Feinberg.
For questions or comments please contact: Jeremy Feinberg or Tim Green.