Are you fascinated with turtles, especially the little ones? So are we, especially with North America’s smallest, the bog turtle. Measuring only 3-4 inches long, it can fit in the palm of your hand.
But you probably haven’t seen one in the wild. In the few places they live, they are generally buried in the mud or in winter, hibernating. Plus remember, they are tiny! So let’s learn more.
Where Do Bog Turtles Live?
Bog Turtles only live in small, isolated pockets in parts of the Eastern United States. And guess what? They make their homes in bogs and other swampy wetlands. Hence the name, bog turtle! These magnificent creatures are found in our home, in Western North Carolina!
These bogs are slowly going away, resulting in declining populations for these tiny turtles. Bog Turtles are critically endangered. So, let’s learn more to figure out how we can help this cool species!
Bog Turtle Facts
These adorable little creatures are one of the rarest turtles in North America! You can spot them by looking for their special marking - a bright orange or yellow spot on their head or neck that makes them look like they're wearing a tiny glowing necklace. When they're born, these baby turtles are super tiny, only about as big as your thumb tip - just one inch long!
Bog turtles have some really cool ways of staying safe. When the weather gets cold, from around mid-September to mid-April, they snuggle deep into the mud and take a long winter nap called hibernation. Their bodies slow way down, kind of like when you're sleeping, but for months at a time! On warm, sunny days, you might catch them lounging in the sunshine to warm up. But if a hungry predator comes along, these clever turtles quickly bury themselves in the mud to hide.
Scientists know that bog turtles can live up to 40 years when they're cared for by humans, but since they're so good at hiding in the wild, it's hard to know how long they live there. In fact, these turtles are so secretive that scientists aren't even sure how many are left, but they think there might be fewer than 10,000 in the wild - that's not very many at all!
What is a Bog?
Lots of cool things, including turtles, live in bogs. But what exactly is a bog?
A bog is a special kind of wetland where your boots sink right into the soft, wet mud. Have you ever stepped in a bog? It's like nature's squishy sponge! It might look like just a muddy puddle, but bogs are full of old, rotting plants and still water that doesn't move much.
Bogs are super helpful to our planet in two big ways. First, they're like giant bathtubs that catch extra water when it rains too much, which stops places nearby from flooding. Second, and this is really cool - bogs are like Earth's helper by storing lots of carbon (that's a type of gas) from the air. By keeping this carbon trapped in the mud and plants, bogs help keep our Earth from getting too warm. Pretty amazing for a bunch of mud, right?
Bog Turtle’s Biggest Threats
There are many false misconceptions about these incredible animals.The better we understand them, the better we can protect them! We need to know the truth about bog turtles!
- Myth 1: They make good pets. False! First of all, they are very timid and like to stay hidden, burrowed in mud most of the time. Second, it is illegal to buy, collect, or sell the turtles or their eggs. So no, they don’t make good pets.
- Myth 2: Bog turtles have lots of baby turtles so taking a few won’t hurt their populations. False! Actually, they are very slow to reproduce with only 2-3 eggs laid each year.
Another big threat to the population of bog turtles is habitat loss. Bogs are disappearing at an alarming rate. As land is developed, bogs are filled in so the turtles lose their homes. But the illegal pet trade also has a devastating effect.
Why do we need bog turtles?
These cute little turtles eat lots of pesky insects along with slugs, small worms and even some vegetation. They in turn, along with their eggs, are food for predators such as raccoons, birds and snakes.
Plus they are a flagship species. What does it mean for them to be a flagship species? Flagship species are ambassadors for their habitat. These guys and gals are so cute, they inspire folks to want to help save the turtles and therefore, save the bogs.
How can you help?
Learn more about bogs and bog turtles and then share with others. You can create art or write stories that show just how beautiful bog turtles are! Most folks, like us, have never heard of bog turtles so knowledge is power.
They are often sold as pets. So if you ever see one for sale, please help them by not buying one and discourage others.
If you have land that would make a good habitat for turtles, talk to your local land preservation group or USFWS to see if the land can be protected. You never know until you ask.
