Meet the Blanding's Turtle
In Michigan, we are lucky to have several species of turtles. Some are more common, such as the painted turtle or snapping turtle that most people have observed at one time or another. But we also have more rare turtles such as the wood turtle, known to Northern Michigan, or the state-threatened spotted turtle.
The headwaters region is home to the Blanding’s Turtle - locally common in northwest Oakland County and due to population declines, this species is of special concern in Michigan.
The Blanding's is a larger turtle that is very easily identified by its highly domed carapace or top shell, its bright yellow throat (the color of sunshine), and the notched upper jaw which gives the illusion of a smile. A female will travel through wetlands, over roads and yards, up to a kilometer looking for the perfect spot to lay her eggs.
The Blanding’s Turtle can take 14 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity, so any reproducing adult in the population is crucial to the continuation of the species, especially given the general vulnerability of the population. Furthermore, the habitat of the Blanding’s Turtle is as vulnerable as the species, as they are often seen basking on downed trees in isolated pockets of wetland such as vernal pools or buttonbush swamps.
Please keep your eyes focused for this beautiful reptile this spring and summer, and if you spot one on the road, help it on its way. Don’t worry –they will not bite but perhaps flash you a heartfelt smile of appreciation!
If you spot a Blanding’s Turtle laying eggs, contact us immediately. NOHLC has partnered with teacher, Alisa Lyon, to provide nest protectors made by her Eco Club students at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School.
(Download Ms. Lyon's PowerPoint presentation below)
Or you can try to make your own turtle nest protector with the instructions provided below.
The headwaters region is home to the Blanding’s Turtle - locally common in northwest Oakland County and due to population declines, this species is of special concern in Michigan.
The Blanding's is a larger turtle that is very easily identified by its highly domed carapace or top shell, its bright yellow throat (the color of sunshine), and the notched upper jaw which gives the illusion of a smile. A female will travel through wetlands, over roads and yards, up to a kilometer looking for the perfect spot to lay her eggs.
The Blanding’s Turtle can take 14 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity, so any reproducing adult in the population is crucial to the continuation of the species, especially given the general vulnerability of the population. Furthermore, the habitat of the Blanding’s Turtle is as vulnerable as the species, as they are often seen basking on downed trees in isolated pockets of wetland such as vernal pools or buttonbush swamps.
Please keep your eyes focused for this beautiful reptile this spring and summer, and if you spot one on the road, help it on its way. Don’t worry –they will not bite but perhaps flash you a heartfelt smile of appreciation!
If you spot a Blanding’s Turtle laying eggs, contact us immediately. NOHLC has partnered with teacher, Alisa Lyon, to provide nest protectors made by her Eco Club students at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School.
(Download Ms. Lyon's PowerPoint presentation below)
Or you can try to make your own turtle nest protector with the instructions provided below.
| Help Us Protect the Blanding's Turtle |
| turtle_next_box_plan_rrotramel.pdf |
VIDEO: Brief guide to identifying the Blanding's Turtle in Michigan narrated by Phillip Reed, a Brandon Schools graduate.