# Blanding's Turtle (*Emydoidea blandingii*) Blanding's Turtle has a smooth, shiny shell that looks like it’s wearing a helmet! They are friendly turtles that like to swim. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and ponds - **Also known as:** Blanding's Tortoise ![Blanding's Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424478/objects/5719.jpg) ## Appearance The Blanding's Turtle has a distinct bright yellow throat and chin, contrasting with its dark, domed shell that is often speckled with lighter flecks. Its lower shell is yellowish with dark blotches, and it features a unique hinged plastron. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Emys ## Interesting facts - Blanding's Turtles can gobble up food underwater without drinking a single drop! - If startled, these turtles can snap their hinged shell shut like a secret door! - The temperature of the nest decides if a baby Blanding's Turtle will be a boy or a girl! - They bury themselves in mud at the bottom of ponds to survive freezing winters. ## Special abilities - **Underwater Hunter:** Blanding's Turtle can eat its prey underwater without swallowing water, thanks to its unique mouth structure, helping them hunt efficiently. - **Mobile Fortress:** Blanding's Turtle has a hinged lower shell that helps them enclose their head and limbs almost completely, protecting them from danger. - **Habitat Hoppers:** Blanding's Turtle can travel long distances over land, using its powerful legs to move between different wetland habitats for food or nesting. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-26 cm - **Weight:** 1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 50-75 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-20 - **Incubation:** 50-80 days - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m ## Diet & Feeding A carnivore that uses its powerful jaws to crunch on crayfish, insects, and small fish. - **Age differences:** Young turtles consume more aquatic plants, but adults are primarily meat-eaters. - **Primary Foods:** crayfish, aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, small fish - **Foraging Methods:** Ambush, Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often raid turtle nests, eating eggs and hatchlings. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Large wading birds can prey on small or young Blanding's Turtles. - **Hunts:** Appalachian Brook Crayfish (*Cambarus bartonii*) — Turtles actively hunt and eat various native crayfish species. - **Shelter:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — Dense cattail stands provide excellent cover and hiding spots. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blanding's Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blanding's Turtle? 18-26 cm ### How much does Blanding's Turtle weigh? 1-2.5 kg ### How long does Blanding's Turtle live? 50-75 years ### How fast can Blanding's Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Blanding's Turtle eat? A carnivore that uses its powerful jaws to crunch on crayfish, insects, and small fish. ### How fast can Blanding's Turtle swim? 2 km/h ### Where is Blanding's Turtle usually found? Wetlands and ponds ## Where to spot - [Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-monument-square-lexington-road-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Pointe Mouillee State Game Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pointe-mouillee-state-game-area) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve - [Cosley Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cosley-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Michigan Military Academy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/michigan-military-academy) — Michigan, US · Campus [View all places to see Blanding's Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blanding-s-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Blanding's Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blanding-s-turtle)