Bog Turtle
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
The bog turtle is New York's smallest turtle, reaching lengths between 3-4.5in (7.5-11.5cm). The Bog Turtle has a A bright yellow or orange blotch on each side of its head and neck are a distinctive feature of this species. The body color is dark with an orange-red wash on the inside of the legs of some individuals. The carapace (upper shell) is domed and somewhat rectangular, often with prominent rings on the shell plates (scutes). In some older individuals, or those that burrow frequently in coarse substrates, the shell may become quite smooth and polished. Although generally black, the carapace is sometimes highlighted by a chestnut sunburst pattern in each scute. The plastron (lower shell) is hingeless, with a pattern of cream and black blotches. As with most turtles, the plastron of the male is slightly concave while the female's is flat.