Tortue mouchetée— Quebec wildlife

Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is a species of semi-aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae. This species is native to central and eastern parts of Canada and the United States. It is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range. Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or no common signs of aging and is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life.

Description

Blanding's turtle is a medium-sized turtle with an average straight carapace length of approximately 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in) with a maximum of 25.5 cm (10.0 in). A distinguishing feature of this turtle is the bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace, or upper shell, is domed, but slightly flattened along the midline, and is oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is speckled with numerous yellow or light-colored flecks or streaks on a dark background. The plastron, or lower shell, is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged. The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow. Blanding's turtle is also called the "semi-box" turtle, for although the plastron is hinged, the plastral lobes do not shut as tight as the box turtles'.

Reproduction

Blanding's turtle takes 14–20 years to reach sexual maturity. Mating begins between March and April and nests are dug from late May into early July . Clutch size varies from region to region. In New York, the clutch size ranges from five to twelve eggs, with an average of eight. The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the eggs during development. Colder temperatures produce males, while warmer temperatures produce female hatchlings.