-
- Ecology
Ecology
- Habitat
- usually found in the underbrush of the temperate forest or among the
open fields associated with marshes.
-
- Niche
- generally omnivorous: prefers green vegetation, mushrooms, snails,
earthworms and grasshoppers. Juveniles are more carnivorous than adults.
Solitary, diurnal and terrestrial. During winter they dig or burrow beneath
the frost line and hibernate.
Life History
- Females lay their eggs in late spring-early summer. They can be fertile
up to 4 yrs after mating. 2-7 eggs hatch after 12-13 wks under normal climate
conditions. The hatchlings are precocial. Life span 25+ yrs. Turtles as
a group are quite long-lived.
-
Special Adaptations
- Bony shell covered with scales provides protection from predators and
injury.
- Hinged Plastron allows for complete shell closure.
- Thick scales on head and limbs protect against injury.
- Sharp beak acts like shears for slicing vegetation.
- Long claws aid in crawling through the underbrush and digging nest
holes or winter shelter.
- Long, flexible skin on the "turtleneck" allows head to stretch
out or tuck in; neck verterbrae form an S shape to pull head in, straighten
to push head out.
- Column-like legs support body weight while walking; shell bottom supports
body at rest.
- Camouflage coloration prevents detection by possible predators.
|