Turtles in Your Pocket: A Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Turtles of the Upper Midwest

by Terry VanDeWalle, Suzanne L. Collins

Overview

From the hefty alligator snapping turtle—the largest freshwater turtle in North America and the only turtle in the world with a predatory lure in its mouth—to the wood turtle, which uses “worm stomping” to catch earthworms, to the lovely ornate box turtle, which closes its shell completely for self-defense, the slow-but-sure turtle is an intriguing reptile. Terry VanDeWalle provides a complete description of each species, both male and female, along with distinguishing characteristics for fourteen subspecies, information about range and habitat, and natural history notes about behavior, hibernation, diet, and nesting. Two panels devoted to hatchlings provide short descriptions of the young of each species as well as photographs of some commonly seen young turtles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609380618
Publisher:	University of Iowa Press
Publication date:	11/01/2011
Series:	Bur Oak Guide
Edition description:	1
Sales rank:	1,087,505
Product dimensions:	4.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Terry VanDeWalle has been researching reptiles and amphibians in the Midwest for more than twenty years. Author of Snakes and Lizards in Your Pocket: A Guide to Reptiles of the Upper Midwest (Iowa, 2010), he is a senior biologist with Stantec Consulting in Independence, Iowa. Wildlife photographer Suzanne Collins is an executive officer of the Center for North American Herpetology.

Read an Excerpt

Turtles In your Pocket

A Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Turtles of the Upper Midwest

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By Terry VanDeWalle

University of Iowa Press

Copyright © 2011 Terry VanDeWalle
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60938-061-8

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Chapter One

Spiny softshell [arrow up]

Apalone spinifera

RANGE: Eastern (A. s. spinifera): IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI; Western (A. s. hartwegi): IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, SD SIZE: Female up to 21 1/4 inches, male up to 8 1/2 inches DESCRIPTION: Medium to large aquatic turtle with flat, round, keelless leathery olive to tan carapace and bright white plastron. Feet strongly streaked and spotted, horizontal ridge in each nostril, carapace rough and sandpaperlike with spiny projections along front edge. 2 separate, dark-bordered light stripes on each side of head; short, snorkellike snout. On western subspecies, spots are only slightly enlarged near center of shell. Male much smaller; large dark spots on carapace; long, thick tail; anal opening near tip. Female much larger with circular markings on carapace that break up with age and are replaced with olive-brown or brown blotches, tail short, beneath carapace. HABITAT: Primarily rivers and streams, also quiet lakes and ponds with sand and mud bars NATURAL HISTORY: A highly aquatic turtle with the fishlike ability to extract oxygen from water through its skin, allowing it to remain underwater for long periods. Hibernates buried in soft bottom of rivers or lakes. Carnivorous, feeds primarily on earthworms, snails, aquatic insects, and fish. Nests May to mid July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Midland smooth softshell has smooth carapace with no spines on front edge, lacks horizontal ridge in each nostril.

Midland smooth softshell [down arrow]

Apalone mutica mutica

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI SIZE: Female up to 14 inches, male up to 10 1/2 inches DESCRIPTION: Medium to large aquatic turtle with flat, round, keelless leathery olive to orange-brown carapace and bright white plastron. Feet not strongly streaked and spotted, no horizontal ridge in each nostril, carapace smooth and lacking spiny projections along front edge. 1 dark-bordered light stripe extends through eye onto neck; short, snorkellike snout. Male smaller, carapace marked with darker dots and dashes, thick tail, anal opening near tip. Female larger; carapace mottled gray, brown, or olive; tail short, beneath carapace. HABITAT: Medium to large rivers and streams NATURAL HISTORY: The most aquatic North American softshell, only leaving water to nest or bask. Like other softshells, the smooth is a sit-and-wait ambush predator. Carnivorous, feeds primarily on aquatic insects but may also eat earthworms and fish. Nests May to mid July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Spiny softshell has feet strongly streaked and spotted; ridge in each nostril; rough, sandpaperlike carapace with spiny projections along front edge.

Common snapping turtle [arrow down]

Chelydra serpentina

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI SIZE: Female up to 14 inches, male up to 19 inches DESCRIPTION: Large aquatic turtle with large head; hooked beak; small plastron; long, sawtoothed tail. Carapace tan, brown, or black with 3 low keels composed of knobs that may disappear with age, serrated along back edge. Plastron small, leaving most of soft parts and legs exposed, yellowish to tan, appears cross-shaped. Legs large and powerful with webbed toes and heavy claws. Male larger, longer tail, anal opening beyond edge of carapace. Female smaller, shorter tail, anal opening beneath carapace. HABITAT: Any permanent body of water NATURAL HISTORY: This large and aggressive turtle can weigh up to 35 pounds and produce a serious bite; it must be handled with care. Omnivorous, feeds on algae and other aquatic plants, aquatic insects, worms, frogs, toads, fish, and dead animals. Nests mid May to mid June. SIMILAR SPECIES: Alligator snapper has large plates on top of head and an extra row of scutes along each side of carapace. Mud and musk turtles have shorter tails, smooth carapaces, and better-developed plastrons with 1 or 2 hinges.

Alligator snapping turtle [down arrow]

Macrochelys temminckii

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, KS, MO SIZE: Female up to 18 inches, male up to 31 1/2 inches DESCRIPTION: Large aquatic turtle with rough, dark carapace with 3 distinct keels, strongly serrated along back edge. Extra row of scutes on each side of carapace. Plastron small, leaving most of soft parts and legs exposed, appears cross-shaped. Very large head with large plates on top, strongly hooked beak, and eyes situated so they cannot be seen from above. Tail about as long as carapace. Pink wormlike appendage on tongue. Male much larger, average 16 to 20 inches; female much smaller, average 12 to 17 inches. HABITAT: Deeper water of large rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, bayous NATURAL HISTORY: The largest freshwater turtle in North America, with an average weight up to 150 pounds and a record weight in the wild of 251 pounds. The only turtle in the world with a predatory lure in its mouth—the movable pink lure attached to the tongue is used to attract prey. Carnivorous, feeds on fish, alligators, snakes, other turtles, ducks, muskrats, raccoons, and beavers. Nests late May to June. SIMILAR SPECIES: Common snapping turtle lacks large plates on top of head and extra row of scutes on each side of carapace, has low keels on carapace and eyes situated so they can be seen from above.

Northern painted turtle [up arrrow]

Chrysemys picta

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI SIZE: Female up to 10 inches, male up to 6 inches DESCRIPTION: Small to medium aquatic turtle with smooth, oval, flattened, keelless carapace with no serration along back edge. Carapace olive to black with yellow or red borders along seams, red bars or crescents on marginal scutes, vertebral stripe absent or poorly developed. Plastron unhinged, yellow, with variably sized black or reddish blotches. Skin black to olive. Neck, legs, and tail striped with yellow or red. Upper jaw notched. Male smaller; long claws on front legs; longer, thicker tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace. Female larger, short tail, anal opening beneath carapace. HABITAT: Lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, swamps, marshes, ditches NATURAL HISTORY: Hatchlings tolerate natural freezing during hibernation, can survive temperatures as low as 15° F. Omnivorous, feeds on algae and other aquatic plants, aquatic insects, worms, leeches, frogs, salamanders, fish, and dead animals. Nests May to July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Southern painted turtle has prominent vertebral stripe. Map turtles, eastern river cooter, and red-eared slider are larger with serrated back edge of carapace and vertebral keel. Western chicken turtle has longer neck, wide stripe on front legs, and vertically striped rump.

Southern painted turtle

Chrysemys dorsalis

RANGE: IL, MO size: Female up to 6 inches, male up to 4 inches description: Small aquatic turtle with smooth, oval, flattened, keelless carapace with no serration along back edge. Carapace olive-brown to black with prominent yellow, orange, or red vertebral stripe. Outer edge of carapace yellow or orange. Plastron unhinged, yellow, unspotted to lightly spotted. Skin black to olive. Neck, legs, and tail striped with yellow or red. Upper jaw notched. Male smaller; long claws on front legs; longer, thicker tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace. Female larger, short tail, anal opening beneath carapace. HABITAT: Lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, swamps, marshes, ditches NATURAL HISTORY: Raccoons are a major predator of painted turtles and likely their greatest natural enemy, eating many eggs, hatchlings, and adult turtles. Omnivorous, feeds on algae and other aquatic plants, aquatic insects, worms, leeches, frogs, and salamanders and scavenges dead fish. Nests May to July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Vertebral stripe on northern painted turtle is absent or poorly developed. Map turtles, eastern river cooter, and red-eared slider are larger with serrated back edge of carapace and vertebral keel. Western chicken turtle has longer neck, wide stripe on front legs, and vertically striped rump.

Spotted turtle [up arrow]

Clemmys guttata

RANGE: IL, IN, MI, OH SIZE: Female up to 5 1/2 inches, male up to 4 1/2 inches DESCRIPTION: Small aquatic turtle with smooth, keelless, unserrated black carapace with 1 to several bright yellow spots on each scute. Spots may fade with age. Underside of carapace yellow. Plastron unhinged, yellow with large dark blotch on each scute that increases in size with age. Plastron may be black in older turtles. Head black, spotted. Neck, legs, and tail dark; spotted above; yellow, orange, or pink below. Male has tan chin; brown eyes; slightly concave plastron; long, thick tail. Female has yellow chin, orange eyes, flat or convex plastron, short tail. HABITAT: Shallow marshes, bogs, fens, wet swamps, small woodland streams NATURAL HISTORY: The spotted pattern on this shy, attractive little turtle may provide camouflage by imitating floating duckweed. When disturbed, this turtle dives into the water and swims to the bottom, where it burrows into the muck. Omnivorous scavenger, feeds on algae, aquatic insects, crayfish, and fish. Nests May to July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Blanding's turtle has hinged plastron and bright yellow chin and throat.

Blanding's turtle [down arrow]

Emys blandingii

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, WI SIZE: Female up to 8 1/2 inches, male up to 11 inches DESCRIPTION: Medium to large mainly aquatic turtle with high-domed, elongated, smooth, keelless, unserrated carapace. Carapace dark with many yellow or white spots that may run together to form streaks. Plastron yellow with large dark blotch on each scute and 1 hinge, may be entirely black in older individuals. Head dark above, spotted. Chin and throat bright yellow. Male larger, dark upper jaw, slightly concave plastron, thicker tail, anal opening beyond edge of carapace. Female smaller, yellow upper jaw, flat plastron, short tail, anal opening beneath carapace. HABITAT: Shallow marshes, bogs, fens, wet swamps, streams NATURAL HISTORY: Aquatic but spends time on land, usually near water. Carnivorous, feeds on snails, crayfish, earthworms, aquatic insects, and dead fish. Nests May to early July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Box turtles have unnotched upper jaws and lack the yellow chin and throat. Spotted turtle lacks hinged plastron and bright yellow chin and throat. Wood turtle has sculptured, keeled carapace with strongly serrated back edge, plastron unhinged.

Eastern river cooter [up arrow]

Pseudemys concinna concinna

RANGE: IL, IN, KS, MO size: Female up to 15 1/2 inches, male up to 12 1/2 inches description: Large aquatic turtle with green, olive, brown, or black oval, keelless carapace with intricate pattern of yellow or cream markings and slightly serrated back edge. Backward-C-shaped mark on second pleural scute. Dark spot on underside of each marginal scute. Plastron unhinged, yellow or orange. Older turtles often become dark and lose pattern on carapace. Skin olive, brown, or black with yellow or cream stripes. Wide yellow stripes on underside of neck. Central chin stripe divides to form a Y-shaped mark. Male has flattened carapace; long, thick tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace; long, straight claws on front feet. Female has domed carapace, short tail, anal opening beneath carapace, no long claws on front feet. HABITAT: Large rivers with rocky bottoms, oxbows, lakes NATURAL HISTORY: Because of their large size and their tendency to spend most of the time in water, adult cooters have few predators. Eggs and hatchlings are eaten by skunks, raccoons, and opossums. Young are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants and insects. Adults are primarily herbivorous, feeding mostly on plants. Nests mid May to June. SIMILAR SPECIES: Northern and southern painted turtles lack serrations along back edge of carapace and have notched upper jaws. Red-eared slider has wide red mark behind eye and vertical stripes on legs.

Red-eared slider [down arrow]

Trachemys scripta elegans

RANGE: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MO, OH SIZE: Female up to 11 3/4 inches, male up to 9 inches DESCRIPTION: Medium to large aquatic turtle with olive to brown oval, weakly keeled carapace slightly serrated along back edge. Wide yellow stripe on each pleural scute. Dark spot on underside of each marginal scute. Plastron unhinged, yellow with single dark blotch on each scute. Skin olive to brown with yellow chin stripes, wide red or orange stripe on side of head behind eye, vertical stripes on legs. Older turtles often become dark and lose pattern on carapace and skin. Male has flattened carapace; long, thick tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace; long, curved claws on front feet. Female has domed carapace; short tail; anal opening beneath carapace; short, straight claws on front feet. HABITAT: Quiet lakes, swamps, farm ponds, rivers, oxbows NATURAL HISTORY: Popular turtle in the pet trade. As a result of releases, the slider is now the most widespread freshwater turtle in the world. Omnivorous—young are highly carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects; adults are mainly herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, may scavenge dead fish. Nests mid May to mid July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Painted turtles lack serrations along back edge of carapace and have notched upper jaws. Eastern river cooter lacks wide red mark behind eye and has a backward-C-shaped mark on second pleural scute. Western chicken turtle has an extremely long neck and a broad yellow stripe on each front leg.

Wood turtle

Glyptemys insculpta

RANGE: IA, MI, MN, WI SIZE: Female up to 8 inches, male up to 9 inches description: Medium semi-aquatic turtle with highly sculptured, keeled tan to brown carapace with strongly serrated back edge and black or yellow lines radiating from corner of some scutes. Each scute on carapace has an irregular pyramid resulting from raised growth rings. Plastron unhinged, yellow, dark blotch on each scute. Head black, speckled, may have faint yellow spots. Throat, neck, tail, and underside of front legs yellow, orange, or red. Male has concave plastron; long, thick tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace; prominent scales on front legs; throat, neck, and front legs bright orange or red. Female has flat plastron; short tail; anal opening beneath carapace; throat, neck, and front legs yellow. HABITAT: Rivers, streams, bogs, wet meadows, pastures, deciduous woodlands NATURAL HISTORY: Although aquatic, spends a fair amount of time on land, usually not far from water. Omnivorous, feeds on mushrooms, various plants and fruits, insects, and earthworms. Sometimes uses worm stomping to catch earthworms—stomping its front feet causes earthworms to come to the surface, where they are eaten. Nests May to July. SIMILAR SPECIES: Spotted turtle has keelless, unserrated black, yellow-spotted carapace. Box turtles and Blanding's turtle have hinged plastrons. Only the wood turtle has a highly sculptured carapace.

Western chicken turtle [down arrow

Deirochelys reticularia miaria

RANGE: MO SIZE: Female up to 10 inches, male up to 6 1/2 inches DESCRIPTION: Small to medium semi-aquatic turtle with long, narrow, unkeeled, unserrated tan to olive carapace with netlike pattern of yellow lines. Extremely long neck. Vertebral scutes very broad, first vertebral scute touches 4 marginal scutes. Plastron unhinged, yellow with dark markings along seams. Skin olive to brown with yellow or white stripes. Front legs with wide yellow stripe, rump with vertical light stripes. Chin and throat yellow, unstreaked. Male smaller; long, thick tail; anal opening beyond edge of carapace. Female larger, short tail, anal opening beneath carapace. HABITAT: Swamps, river sloughs, oxbows, drainage ditches NATURAL HISTORY: Semi-aquatic, spends nearly as much time on land as in water. During times of drought, may burrow underground for long periods to escape dry conditions. Carnivorous, feeds primarily on snails, aquatic insects, and crayfish. Nests mid February to May and August to November. SIMILAR SPECIES: Redeared slider, painted turtles, eastern river cooter, and map turtles have shorter necks and do not have the first vertebral scute in contact with 4 marginal scutes. Slider, river cooter, and map turtles have serrated back edge of carapace.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Turtles In your Pocket by Terry VanDeWalle Copyright © 2011 by Terry VanDeWalle. Excerpted by permission of University of Iowa Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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