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Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) The spotted turtle is beautiful but elusive. Although this species readily basks and makes terrestrial excursions, it is rarely observed. It blends in well with its environment, its bright spots readily blending in with duck-weed and other aquatic vegetation. Combine this with its limited distribution and relatively low numbers, and the spotted turtle becomes a rare find. Lucky observers may sight a spotted turtle poking just its head through the water surface of a vernal pool, or a female crossing a road in search of a place to nest. The spotted turtle becomes even more secretive in late summer when many estivate (remain dormant) beneath the leaf litter in upland forests. Description: This is the only turtle in Maine with distinct bright yellow spots on a smooth, low, black carapace. The spotted turtle also has orange and yellow spots on the head and neck. This species is easily distinguished from the Blanding's turtle which has a flecked, domed shell and a yellow throat. Adults captured in Maine during 1991-93 ranged from 10.0 to 13.8 cm (3.9-5.4") in carapace length ( Joyal 1996).The pattern of spots on the shell varies considerably and each individual is unique (Carroll 1991).The sexes can be distinguished by the shape of the plastron and the color of the eyes and chin. Males have concave plastrons, brown eyes, and tan chins while females have flat or convex plastrons, orange eyes, and yellow chins. When hatchlings emerge from the nest they are 2.8-3.1 cm (1.1-1.2") in carapace length, and weigh about 3 g (0.1 ounces) (Joyal 1996).The eye color is distinctive even in hatchlings (Blake 1921; Grant 1935). Distribution and Status: Spotted turtles are found in all northeastern states and reach the northern limits of their geographic range in Maine and Quebec. Although spotted turtles were once very common in other New England states (Babcock 1919), they may never have been abundant in Maine (Verrill 1863). MARAP records were concentrated in coastal communities from York to Woolwich. A subsequent survey of 1,200 wetlands in York, Cumberland, and Oxford Counties from 1991-1994 yielded approximately 100 new sites concentrated mostly in southern and central York County (McCollough et al. 1996). Densities of 8 turtles/sq. km (20.7/sq. mi) were documented on 2 southern Maine study areas ( Joyal 1996). Scattered occurrences to the north (Mercer and Farmington) east (Monroe and Orrington) and in the central and coast (Georgetown and Arrowsic) imply several disjunct populations may exist. The spotted turtle is listed as a Threatened species by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and is classified as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern in other New England states. |
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