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Description:
Once thought
to be of the genus Emys due to its similar resemblance to
the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), this species is
a medium to large sized North American emydid with a rather
unique appearance. The smooth carapace is domed and
elongated and the ground color is a deep, dark brown to jet
black. A series of small yellow flecks or spots are
scattered on each scute and in very attractive specimens
these flecks my be quite vibrant and cover almost the entire
carapace. The plastron is a rich golden color or may be pale
yellow and a black blotch is exhibited on each scute much
like that of a North American wood turtle (Glyptemys
insculpta). No two
Blanding’s turtles’ plastral designs are
the same and many researchers and wild life officials
identify specific animals by their plastrons. The plastron
also features a single hinge although the turtle cannot
completely close up. Perhaps the head and neck of this
turtle is what is really unique. Blanding’s turtles are one
of two “long necked” turtles in North America the other
being the chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) and it is
easy to see where they got the name “long necked”. Emydoidea
blandingii can extend their necks incredibly far and quickly
suck up their prey by inhaling. It’s almost as though they
“vacuum” up their food. The head is some what “frog like” in
appearance and the eyes are large with a brown to deep red
iris. The upper jaw is notched and the animal looks as
though it is always smiling. The flecks found on the
carapace may be visible on the top of the head as well. The
chin of these turtles is a bright golden yellow which
extends down the bottom of the neck. When a Blanding’s
turtle extends its head fully above water, the gleaming
yellow chin and throat can be seen from quite a distance.
The legs resemble that of a wood or spotted turtle and the
scales on the front limbs are usually a pale yellow. Each
foot is equipped with sharp nails which enable the turtle to
burrow deeply in mud, to rip apart food items and to haul
itself out onto land. |
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Sex: Male Blanding’s
turtles may attain larger dimensions than females and may
also exhibit a bit of flaring of the rear marginal scutes.
The tail of a male is longer and slightly thicker and the
vent is further away from the end of the plastron than that
of a female. The male also features a concave plastron
(which in some specimens is rather deep) allowing him to fit
onto the female’s domed carapace during mating.
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Distribution:
Blanding’s turtle is found
in southern Canada and north central to north eastern United
States with its range centering the Great Lakes, extending
from central Nebraska and Minnesota, east through southern
Ontario, and northern New York, with disjunct populations
found in New England and Nova Scotia.
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Habitat:
These turtles are found in
shallow waters like marshy ponds, oxbows, wet prairies, fens
and other muddy bottomed water ways with dense vegetation.
Blanding’s turtles are known to regularly travel on land in
search of new habitat, foods items, nesting sites and mates.
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Housing: Because
Emydoidea blandingii are relatively large turtles it is
important that their enclosure be well thought out before
acquiring one. Although these turtles are not the best of
swimmers, they do require a large amount of room both
indoors and out. Inside a hatchling can be raised in a 20
gallon all glass aquarium but an adult should be in no less
than a 55 gallon preferably more. Some keepers of this
species use plastic baby pools or large Rubbermaid bins
which have proven to be successful homes for water turtles.
The best way to house a Blanding’s turtle is by keeping it
outdoors in a pond. A decent sized garden pond with easy
access in and out of the water and a fairly nice sized land
area will provide a good enclosure. Be sure to add logs,
floating vegetation and other pond plants to help these
turtles feel at home. It is very important that these
turtles have access to shade during the summer months as
they do not fair well in the heat. Blanding’s turtles are
active throughout fall and even sparingly during the winter
due to their preference for cooler temperatures. These
turtles have even been seen moving about under the ice of a
frozen pond. Filtration both indoors and out is important as
these chelonians are susceptible to fungal infections and if
kept inside artificial lighting is needed via UVA&B emitting
bulbs. |
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Feeding:
Emydoidea blandingii are
mainly carnivorous but they make take in a small bit of
vegetation. Mollusks, fish, insects and other invertebrates
make up the diet for these turtles and they have been known
to take a liking to crayfish in particular. It is important
to remember that when feeding these turtles in captivity,
you must be careful when offering foods such as crayfish.
These items should be frozen prior to offering them to the
turtles to kill off any parasites that may be thriving
inside them. Blanding’s turtles are susceptible to certain
internal parasites particularly tapeworms. I offer my adults
various fish such as shiners, minnows, mackerel, sardines in
water, and crayfish. They also take earthworms, night
crawlers, red wigglers or trout worms, meal worms and
crickets with relish. New born mice commonly called pinkies
are good for turtles that need to put on weight and also for
gravid females. Be careful when offering pinkies due to the
high fat content of them and also do not over do meal worms
as they can be hard to digest. Many Blanding’s turtles will
easily take various commercial turtle foods such as Tetra
Reptomin and Purina Trout Chow. |
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Breeding:
Breeding normally takes
place in water where the male chases the female until she
sits still. He then climbs on top of her and bites at her
face as she draws into her shell. Once she accepts he slides
back, mounts her and curls his tail under hers to begin
copulation.
When nesting
time comes, the female digs a flask shaped hole using both
back feet and deposits 5 to 12 eggs sometimes as many as 16.
Because Blanding’s turtles take so long to mature in the
wild they may not reproduce until their 15th or
20th year. |
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Incubation:
Blanding’s turtle eggs can
be incubated in a home made incubator or a Hova Bator. Hova
Bators are easy to use incubators and I have hatched
countless numbers of turtles and tortoises using them. They
are inexpensive and easy to find in feed stores and various
pet stores. On a substrate of moistened vermiculite at a
temperature of about 80-84 degrees Fahrenheit with a
humidity level of about 75-85% Blanding’s turtle eggs will
hatch in about 50 to 60 days. |
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Hatchlings:
Hatchling Emydoidea
blandingii are approximately 1.5” upon hatching and may not
feed for up to two weeks as they use up what is left of
their yolk sac. The small turtles can be set up in 20 gallon
all glass aquariums or Rubbermaid containers with very
shallow water (about 1.5 to 2”) and a warm basking platform.
Cork bark works very well for this purpose. Keeping the
water clean is important so that fungus does not occur and
the babies will usually take well to feeding on Tetra
Reptomin and some fish. Blanding’s turtles usually grow
fairly slow but some may grow rather quickly. In 5 to 8
years these animals will attain adult dimensions which is
substantially quicker than the time it takes in the wild. It
is wise to keep a close eye on the hatchlings you are
raising as they may become aggressive towards one another
and nip each others’ tails and toes. Do not put these
turtles outside until they are of at least 4” in length
unless you can fully protect them from predators such as
crows, rats and cats.
It is
important to remember that Blanding’s turtles are protected
throughout much of their range, although they do not have
any federal status you should be sure of your local wildlife
laws before attempting to buy one. |
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CHRIS LEONE |
