Wood Turtle

The wood turtle is listed as vulnerable on the 2004 IUCN Redlist and is protected from trade by Appendix II of CITES. The wood turtle is native to Minnesota and most of the northeastern United States as well as parts of Canada. It was once widely distributed in the eastern part of Minnesota. Now it is limited to isolated populations in most eastern border counties, with a few records occurring just to the west. It is rare in Minnesota and is listed as a threatened species.

The wood turtle is listed as endangered or threatened in almost every state and province where it exists. Scientists say it is rapidly disappearing from many areas. Before protective laws were in place, hundreds of wood turtles were taken from the wild each fall and sold to biological supply houses or into the pet trade. One collector recalls taking over 100 from one stream bank in 1972. Today, no wood turtles are found there.

This is a serious problem because it takes a long time for wood turtles to grow up - about 20 years. When a female does lay eggs, seven out of 10 are eaten by predators. Of the few that hatch, most are eaten before their first birthdays. Wood turtles also get hit by cars and boats or taken home illegally as pets.

One of the most limiting factors in this species' distribution is its habitat preference. Clear streams, rivers and woodland ponds near forest are used by wood turtles, and the continued destruction of such habitat is seriously threatening these turtles.