Turtle Conservation Project

Identification
Bog Turtle range

North America's smallest and most rare turtle, Bog Turtles are rarely over 3". Each side of the head features a large orange blotch. The shell is dark brown. Males have longer, thicker tails with the vent posterior of the carapace edge. Males have a concave plastron.

Habitats
Bog Turtles rarely occur in true bogs but in ephemeral wetlands such as fens and wet meadows with soft muck and rivulets.

Diet
Bog Turtles are omnivores, mainly eating insects and other invertrebrates.

Behavior

Bog turtles are diurnal, using rivulets for easy movement and basking on sphagnum tussocks and similar features. Nights are spent buried in the soft muck. Nests can be in soil or hollowed out tussocks.

Threats/Conservation
Bog Turtles are the only turtle protected under Federal Endangered Species Act.

There are few populations in New England, and the ephemeral wetlands they prefer can rapidly become unsuitable. Goats have been used in Pennsylvania to keep successional plants from taking hold. Bog Turtles' small size and scarcity has led to poaching for the illegal pet trade.

For detailed information about this species, we recommend Turtles of the United States and Canada by Ernst, Lovich, Barbour.

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