Species of the Day: Bog Turtle
© Peter Paul van Dijk
Species of the Day: Bog Turtle The Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, but has recently been provisionally re-assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’. With a maximum shell length of 11 cm, this is one of the smallest turtle species in the world. It occurs in small, scattered and fragmented areas of spring-fed wetlands in the northeastern United States and southern Appalachian foothills. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.www.iucn-tftsg.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
Severe habitat loss due to draining and conversion to agricultural lands has been, and continues to be, a primary reason for the decline of this species, with the added impacts of agricultural pollutants and changing climate patterns affecting water quality and availability. With its rich chocolate-brown shell, bright orange head blotches, and small size, the Bog Turtle has also been in great demand for the pet trade. Recent reports of disease outbreaks give additional cause for grave concern for the future of this rare species. Strict protective legislation from the US Endangered Species Act and CITES Appendix I listing prohibiting possession and trade have provided some protection for the Bog Turtle.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
Species of the Day: Bog Turtle The Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, but has recently been provisionally re-assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’. With a maximum shell length of 11 cm, this is one of the smallest turtle species in the world. It occurs in small, scattered and fragmented areas of spring-fed wetlands in the northeastern United States and southern Appalachian foothills. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.www.iucn-tftsg.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
Severe habitat loss due to draining and conversion to agricultural lands has been, and continues to be, a primary reason for the decline of this species, with the added impacts of agricultural pollutants and changing climate patterns affecting water quality and availability. With its rich chocolate-brown shell, bright orange head blotches, and small size, the Bog Turtle has also been in great demand for the pet trade. Recent reports of disease outbreaks give additional cause for grave concern for the future of this rare species. Strict protective legislation from the US Endangered Species Act and CITES Appendix I listing prohibiting possession and trade have provided some protection for the Bog Turtle.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
