Bog Turtle

The northern population of the bog turtle was listed as threatened on November 4, 1997.
The southern population was listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance to the northern population.
The bog turtle is the smallest land turtle in North America.
Adult shells are 3 to 4 ½ inches in length and range in color from light brown to ebony.
They are easily distinguished from other turtles by the large bright orange, yellow, or red blotch found on each side of the head
Bog turtles live in shallow bogs, swamps, marshy meadows, and pastures where there are soft, muddy areas
Hibernate just below the surface of frozen mud or ice from October through April
Mating occurs in May and June
females deposit two to six eggs on sphagnum moss and sedges
After a period of 42 to 56 days, and the young turtles emerge in August and early September
They eat beetles, larvae, snails, millipedes, fleshy pondweed seeds, sedge seeds, and carrion
To escape from predators, bog turtles burrow quickly into the mud
They help the health of the bog ecosystem
The bog turtle is threatened by habitat loss and collection for the pet trade
The Nature Conservancy is also working to restore bog ecosystems in Tennessee

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