University:
Michigan State University
Course:
BS 162 | Organismal and Population Biology
Academic year:

2019
Views:

134

Pages:

1
Author:

FrextWhestembki

Turtles and Tortoises of North America Desert Tortoises are found in the deserts of southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona and into Mexico. They are 9 - 15 inches long and can weigh 8 - 15 lbs. They have flat front legs made for digging and a brown shell into which they can pull their head and legs for protection. Eastern Box Turtles are found in the eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida, west to Michigan and south to Texas near streams, ponds and marshes in open woodlands, pastures, and marshy meadows. They have a high, rounded shell (carapace) about 6 inches long and into which they can pull their whole body when they are in danger. Wood Turtles are found in northeastern North America from Nova Scotia, Canada south to Virginia and as far west as Minnesota near rivers and streams in forests. The shell is 6-8 inches long and each raised, round area on has rings with yellow coming out from the center like a sunburst. Painted Turtles are found across Canada from B.C. to Nova Scotia and south all over the eastern and northwestern U.S. and in a few places in the southwest in ponds, lakes, and wetlands. They are 4-10 inches long with a greenish-black shell that has yellow or red edges. They have red and yellow stripes on the neck, legs, and tail. Bog Turtles are found in the eastern U.S. in some places Common Musk Turtles are found in Eastern North America from Ontario to Florida and west to Texas and the Great Lakes in shallow wetlands. They are small with a dark, domed shell about 3-5 in. long. They have a dark head with two yellow lines that run above and below the eye to the tip of the nose. They have small, fleshing barbels under the chin and throat. The plastron is small. in New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and from southern New England to northern Georgia in open, marshy areas, wet meadows, bogs, and swamps. They are one of the smallest turtles in North American. Their shell is just 3-4.5 in. There is a large, bright, orange patch on both sides of the head. Spotted Turtles are found in Ontario, Canada and the U.S. from southern Maine south to Florida and west to Michigan. They live in wet woodlands, boggy areas, wet meadows and muddy streams near ponds, streams and small rivers. They are small, dark and about 4 in. long with yellow spots on the smooth, dark shell, legs and head. They have orange on the jaw. Snapping Turtles are found all over the U.S. east of the Rockies in freshwater ponds, lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and coastal marshes with brackish water. They can grow to 20 in. long. They have a big head with a very strong jaw and a long neck that can extend quickly. They have a long, jagged tail. Their large shell varies in color from greenish brown to black.