Brought to Sharon Audubon Center: 2006

History: This Spotted Turtle was brought to the Sharon Audubon Center after being purchased from an unrespectable pet shop. The person who purchased the turtle recognized the species from earlier visits to the center, knew that spotted turtles were a listed species of special concern in the state of Connecticut, and was aware that the turtle should not have been for sale in a pet store. Spotty is now a resident at the center and is used to educate people about turtles and other reptiles in our programs.

Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Description: A small, dark turtle with a wide carapace covered in yellow spots. Its head, neck, and limbs are also covered in yellow and orange spots with orange coloration on the lower jaw, neck, and inside of the limbs. Once the most common turtle in the vicinity of New York City, this turtle is very sensitive to pollution and toxicants and is now listed as Threatened or Endangered throughout most of its range.

Life Span: Up to 30 years

Habitat: A semi-aquatic species, the Spotted Turtle prefers well-vegetated wetlands such as marshes, swamps, and woodland streams.

Range: The Spotted Turtle is primarily found in two main regions: the Eastern Seaboard from Southern Maine to North Florida and the Great Lakes Region from Western New York and Pennsylvania to Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.

Diet: Spotted Turtles enjoy a variety of invertebrates, including snails, slugs, worms, insects, and spiders.