Bog Turtle

The bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), also known commonly as Muhlenberg's turtle, is a critically endangered species of semiaquatic turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th-century survey of Pennsylvania. The smallest North American turtle, it measures about 10 centimeters (4 in) in straight carapace length when fully grown. Although the bog turtle is similar in appearance to the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), its closest relative is actually the somewhat larger wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta). The bog turtle can be found from Vermont in the north, south to Georgia, and west to Pennsylvania. Diurnal and secretive, it spends most of its time buried in mud and – during the winter months – in hibernation. The bog turtle is omnivorous, feeding mainly on small invertebrates. The bog turtle is the state reptile of New Jersey.

Abridged excerpt from the Wikipedia article Bog turtle, by its authors, under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.