Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

This timid and attractive chelonian is sometimes referred to as a semi-box turtle because of the hinge across its plastron. Its shy disposition and reclusive habit of frequenting inaccessible marshy wetlands reinforce the general impression that it is rare in Maine. About the only time these bashful reptiles are seen is when females leave their swampy haunts in June to search for a suitable nesting site on land. These terrestrial jaunts sometimes bring the turtles onto roadways where curious motorists stop (we hope), pick them up, and then ponder what strange kind of turtle they have found. There simply aren't many people in Maine who are familiar with these helmet-shaped hermits. Surveys of over 1,200 wet-lands have uncovered Blanding's turtles at about 80 York and Cumber-land County locations, and it seems that some of these sites have viable, reproducing populations (McCollough et al.1996). Most Maine records, however, represent solitary individuals, and the species is usually scarce wherever it is found. Herpetologists recognize the unusually long neck of the Blanding's turtle as an adaptation for breathing in shallow water. By extending the neck, they can reach the surface from depths other species would find impossible, and in so doing probably conserve the energy required to continually swim up for air. Their snorkeling talent presumably makes them less noticeable to predators as well.

Description: The adult Blanding's turtle is medium-sized, averaging roughly 18-23 cm (7.1-9.1") in carapace length and 18-22 cm (7.1- 8.7") in plastron length (Graham and Doyle 1979). Adults found in Maine ranged in carapace length from 17.1 to 22.9 cm (6.7-9") and in plastron length from 16.4 to 21.4 cm (6.5-8.4") (Haskins unpubl. notes, Joyal 1996).The smooth, elongate, helmet-shaped carapace varies from brown to black in ground color and is speckled with light tan vermiculations, streaks, and flecks. The best field character for identification is the conspicuous unmarked yellow chin and throat. The upper jaw is terminally notched and the plastron is transversely hinged between the pectoral and abdominal scutes. The expansive plastron and flexible hinge permit this turtle to close up nearly as well as a box turtle. In pattern and coloration the plastron is similar to that of a wood turtle or a spotted turtle, being ivory-yellow with large, black blotches marking the posterolateral portion of each scute. Hatchlings from Maine ( Joyal 1996) average about 3.2 cm in carapace length (1.3") and about 2.8 cm in plastron length (1.1").They have an unmarked, plain brown carapace and dark brown or black plastral scutes sometimes edged with yellow. After successive years of growth, an ivory portion is added to each plastral plate (Graham unpubl. notes).The Blanding's turtle only superficially resembles the spotted turtle and grows considerably larger. It is profusely covered with light streaks and vermiculations, not the relatively few prominent yellow dots that typify the spotted turtle. Female Blanding's turtles usually have a plastron that is slightly longer than the carapace, while in males the plastron is shorter. Other useful traits to distinguish the sexes include a greater shell height in females and a wider carapace in males (Graham and Doyle 1979).

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