Scientists named the Wood Tutrle, Glyptemys Insulpta, which is a reference to the deeply sculptured or chiselled-like pattern found on the carapace (top shell). This part of the shell is dark brown or black and may have an array of faint yellow lines from the center of each chiselled segment which is a direct result of tannins an mineral accumulating between ridges. These of the carapace, in addition to those of the plastron (bottom shell) are refered to as scutes. The caprice is also keeled, with a noticeable ridge from back to front. The plastron is a yellow with a number of large dark blotches in the outer corners of each scute. The black or darkish brown head and upper limbs are contrasted by brighter pigments ranking from red and orange to a pale yellow on the throat and limb undersides.
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Throughout the year, Wood Turtles will use aquatic and terrestrial habitats to make themselves comfortable. We can find the Wood Turtle in rivers, large streams, riparian forests near rivers, hayfields, wetlands and other ecological successional habitats. Terrestrial habitat that is typically within a thousand feet of a stream or river is typically most used. The Wood Turtle takes preference to stream conditions which are moderate flow, sandy, gravelly bottoms and muddy banks.
Wood Turtles are not picky eaters and will consume slugs, tadpoles, worms, insects, algae, wild fruits, leaves, moss and carrion. They are omnivorous and opportunistic.
From the onset of the spring season to early in the fall, Wood Turtles roam their terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Once the temperature dips, the Wood Turtle retreats to rivers and large streams for hibernation. The winter season is often spent underwater and tucked away below undercut and riverbanks within the exposed tree roots. Dissolved oxygen is extracted from the water source which allows the turtle to remain submerged entirely until the arrival of the spring. When warmer weather sets in, the turtles will become increasingly more active, eventually leaving the water and begin exploring for food and mates. Travel up and down stream is more likely as this specie seldom stray very far from the battiest.
Female Wood Turtles, typically nest in the spring and lay anywhere from four to twelve eggs into a convexity dug out soft soil, typically in sandy deposits near a steam bank or other areas of loose soil. The egg’s will hatch in later summer or fall and the younglings may either emerge or remain in the nest for winter hibernation. Younglings are typically on their own and receive no care from adult turtles.
Unfortunately, Turtle eggs are heavily preyed upon by a wide-variety of predators, ranging from racoons, snakes and birds. High rates of nest predation and hatchling mortality, paried with length amount of time it takes for turtles to reach sexual maturity, presents a challenge to maintaining sustainable populations. This species can live anywhere from forty to sixty years and some live much longer.
Temperatures are an important aspect for maintaining your Wood Turtle health and well-being. Temperatures should range from seventy to eighty degrees and it’s basking are should in the eighty-five to ninety degree range for optimal basking requirements. By day, be sure to use an incandescent build maximise your pet’s comfort, ceramic heaters or red/black reptile “night bulbs” are useful after dark to help maintain temperatures.
Provide you pet with the largest home possible and establish a thermal gradient. Just as with general heating, a well-established gradient is a critical component for good health. It also allows the turtle to regulate their body temperature by moving between hot and cooler areas. In a glass aquarium, and other small, poorly ventilated enclosures, the entire area soon takes on the basking site temperature.
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For your reading pleasure, we home compiled some interesting Wood Turtle facts, below.
The term “Wood Turtle” was used to name this species because as they age, their shells take on a wooden appearance.
Wood turtles only begin reproducing at about the age of seventeen.
Wood Turtles as old as forty Six years old have been found in Ontario, Canada.
Just as with all other reptile species, the Wood Turtle is “cold blooded”. This means that they can’t regulate their own body temperatures. They rely on their environment to warm them up. This is why you can spot turtles basking on logs and rocks in sunny days.
Wood Turtles are, by nature, Omnivores. They eat insects, slugs, worms, planets, snails, berries, and even fungi. Wood Turtles are one of the few kinds of Turtles that do not need to under water to swallow their food.
Bearded dragon is an omnivore, which means that it consumes both plant- and animal-based diet. It usually eats insects, small rodents, lizards and leafy plants.
The average lifespan of a bearded dragon is anywhere from four to ten years.
Bearded lizards do not have specific breeding season, instead, they are able to breed throughout the whole year.
Bearded lizards do not have specific breeding season, instead, they are able to breed throughout the whole year.
Bearded lizards are not very fast runners. They can run only nine miles per hour.
A spacious, well thought out and maintained home is an essential element for the well-being and long term health of the Wood Turtle. This species is also quite active so it will need some space to roam around and play in. Adult Wood Turtles are at their best in custom-made enclosures that measures at least five feet by five feet in area. Outdoor maintenance is typically best when weather permits, of course. Plastic-based cages and cattle troughs can be easily modified as custom turtle homes. Also, a pool of shallow water measuring two feet by two feet or larger should be made available for your pets.
Keep in mind that turtles in general are highly aquatic, but not the greatest of swimmers. So we need to help mimic or replicate frequent shallow waters of bogs, flooded meadows, swamps and similar habitats, for the continued health of your turtle and in the event of hatchlings. As a general rule of thumb, the depth of the water should be enough for your turtle to reach the surface with its head without needing to swim. Provide some live or plastic plants which will allow for some security. The land area should be simple to access and ideal options are cork bark and turtle piers. We highly suggested frequent water changes to help maintain and promote good health for your turtle.
Lastly, we suggest a number of Shelters which are also important to the well-being of your pet. Suitable hiding sports would include deep substrates and commercial turtle hunts.
The ideal substrate is a mix of slightly-moist topsoil, peat and sphagnum moss, but there are many options. I always add dead leaves as well…Wood Turtles will occupy themselves with hunting for hidden invertebrates each time a new batch of leaves or grass clippings is introduced.
You will have many choices for your substrate however, there are some types of substrate that are ideally suited for a turtle which include a slightly-moist topsoil, peat, sphagnum moss and several other’s. You can also use dead leaves which will be enjoyed to your pet. When you introduce a new batch of grass clippings or leaves, your turtles will focus their attention to hunting for hidden invertebrates. Quite something to see.
Many reptilian species need daily exposure to light, in this case, we will need to expose your pet to UVB light. Natural sunlight is best however, UVB rays do not penetrate glass or plastic but furthermore, a fatality as a result of overheating can occur rather quickly.
Your turtle will need to bask within six to twelve inches of a high-output, UVB florescent bulb. Certain types of bulbs such as a Mercury Vapor or Halogen bulbs broadcast UVB over greater distances, and also emit beneficial radiation for your turtle.
Wood Turtle Pet Care Sheet
Temperatures are an important aspect for maintaining your Wood Turtle health and well-being. Temperatures should range from seventy to eighty degrees and it’s basking are should in the eighty-five to ninety degree range for optimal basking requirements. By day, be sure to use an incandescent build maximise your pet’s comfort, ceramic heaters or red/black reptile “night bulbs” are useful after dark to help maintain temperatures.
Provide you pet with the largest home possible and establish a thermal gradient. Just as with general heating, a well-established gradient is a critical component for good health. It also allows the turtle to regulate their body temperature by moving between hot and cooler areas. In a glass aquarium, and other small, poorly ventilated enclosures, the entire area soon takes on the basking site temperature.
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