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Turtles of Pennsylvania

Turtles of Pennsylvania. Overview. Easily identified by their shell. Top called carapace Bottom called plastron May have one or two hinges to close the plastron. Shells covered by scales called scutes . Considered more intelligent than most reptiles. No teeth  hard beak.

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Turtles of Pennsylvania

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  1. Turtles of Pennsylvania

  2. Overview • Easily identified by their shell. • Top called carapace • Bottom called plastron • May have one or two hinges to close the plastron. • Shells covered by scales called scutes. • Considered more intelligent than most reptiles. • No teeth  hard beak

  3. Common Snapping Turtle • Sometimes called the fresh water “loggerhead” • Used for its meat. • Long tail with “spines” on it • Serration on back side of carapace • Beak that ends in a hook • Small plastron compared to other turtles • Loose warty skin on neck. • Omnivores

  4. Common Snapping Turtle

  5. Snapping turtle

  6. Eastern mud turtle * • Believed to be extirpated • Carapace olive to dark brown to black • Plastron is yellow to brown • Plastron is double hinged and has 11 scutes • Head is brown with yellow streaks

  7. Eastern mud turtle

  8. Stinkpot turtle ~ • Secrete foul-smelling yellowish fluid • High domed carapace • Small plastron – allows for greater movement • Olive-brown to dark grey • Generally two lighter stripes are on the head

  9. Stinkpot

  10. Midland painted turtle • Olive or black carapace, which is smooth, oval and slightly flattened. • Red and black markings on the edge of the shell. • Plastron yellow or red with a dark blotch. • Bright yellow spots on the head. • Red and yellow stripes on neck, legs, and tail.

  11. Midland painted turtle

  12. Spotted turtle ~ • Only three inches long • Black carapace with round yellow spots. • Head and legs also have yellow or orange spots. • Orange spot over eyes • Yellow plastron bordered with black

  13. Spotted turtle

  14. Wood turtle • Brown scutes that are keeled, with a pyramidal shape. (growth rings) • Plastron is yellow and has no hinges • Skin of neck and front legs is reddish orange. • Long tail.

  15. Wood turtle

  16. Bog Turtle * • Endangered species • Carapace that is light brown to mahogany. • Hingeless plastron. • Black head with a yellow, orange, or red blotch on either side.

  17. Bog turtle

  18. Blanding’s turtle * • Smooth helmet shaped carapace, which has yellowish spots. • Chin and throat are yellow • Hinged plastron

  19. Blanding’s turtle

  20. Map Turtle * • Carapace is green to olive-brown. • Random yellow lines found on its back give it its name (looks like a map) • Distinct keel on carapace. • Exposed skin has narrow yellow lines • Yellow triangular spot behind each eye.

  21. Map turtle

  22. Red-Eared Slider • Non native species • Population is from released pets • Looks similar to map, red bellied, and painted turtles. • Red patch or stripe behind the eye on the side of the head. • Tortuga.

  23. Red-Eared Slider

  24. Red bellied turtle * • Threatened species • Brown to black shell with a reddish pattern. • Plastron is usually yellow to red but may be coral. • Notch at tip of upper jaw • Arrow shaped stripe runs on top of head to the snout.

  25. Red bellied turtle

  26. Eastern box turtle ~ • High domed carapace that is keeled. • Black or brown base with yellow, orange, or olive markings. • Plastron hinged • Males usually have red eyes while the females have yellow eyes.

  27. Eastern box turtle

  28. Eastern Spiny Softshell turtle • Entirely aquatic (lay eggs and bask) • The carapace is soft, olive in color • Slightly darker spots, bordered with black • Dark line around rim of carapace. • Streaks on feet. • Adult males have sandpaper like projections on shell • Nose is tubular (like a snorkel).

  29. Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle

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