Family: Emydidae, Pond and Box Turtles view all from this family

Description 5-10 1/2" (12.7-26.8 cm). Bright-yellow chin and throat quickly identify basking specimens. Smooth helmet-shaped carapace is black with profusion of irregularly shaped radiating spots and vermiculations. Plastron hinged; yellow with large black blotches symmetrically arranged. Neck long; head flat with protruding eyes. Male has slightly concave plastron.

Breeding Nests June to July. Lays about 8 oval, dull-white, 1 1/2" (38 mm) eggs. Hatchlings appear August to September.

Habitat Lake shallows, ponds, marshes, and creeks with soft bottoms and dense aquatic vegetation.

Range In the Great Lakes region and west to Nebraska. Separate population in s. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and e. New York.

Discussion This turtle is very tolerant of cold temperatures. It is primarily aquatic but frequently comes on land to bask or search for insects and snails. It is shy, and when disturbed, abandons its basking spot atop a muskrat lodge or log.