# Spotted Turtle (*Clemmys guttata*) The Spotted Turtle has tiny yellow spots on its dark shell, making it look like a starry night! They enjoy warm, sunny days. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 36 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and shallow waters - **Also known as:** Mosaic Turtle ![Spotted Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426077/objects/5723.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Turtle is a small reptile, easily recognized by its smooth, dark black or brown shell covered in bright yellow or orange spots. Its head and limbs also often bear yellow spots, making it stand out from other freshwater turtles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Clemmys ## Interesting facts - Despite their small size, they can live for over 30 years in the wild. - Each turtle's unique pattern of spots is like a fingerprint; no two are exactly alike. - Their bright spots may help camouflage them among sun-dappled aquatic plants. - They are one of the earliest turtles to emerge in spring, sometimes when there's still ice! ## Special abilities - **Cold Master:** Spotted Turtles can be active in near-freezing water because their bodies tolerate cold better than many other reptiles. - **Mud Hider:** Spotted Turtles can burrow into mud or sand to escape extreme heat or cold, staying safe and hidden. - **Webbed Swimmer:** Spotted Turtles have webbed feet that help them glide effortlessly through shallow water as they search for food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-12.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.23 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-30 years - **Swim Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-8 - **Incubation:** 70-83 days ## Diet & Feeding Spotted Turtles are opportunistic eaters, feasting on small creatures and plants found in their watery homes. - **Age differences:** Younger turtles tend to eat more protein (insects/worms), while adults consume more plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small worms, snails, tadpoles, aquatic plants, algae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often raid turtle nests for eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Large birds like herons can prey on young turtles. - **Eats:** [Eastern Newt](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-newt) (*Notophthalmus viridescens*) — Spotted Turtles may consume newt larvae or eggs. - **Eats:** [Common Duckweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-duckweed) (*Lemna minor*) — Turtles forage on this small floating aquatic plant. ## 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. - [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 Spotted 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 Spotted Turtle? 10-12.5 cm ### How much does Spotted Turtle weigh? 0.15-0.23 kg ### How long does Spotted Turtle live? 15-30 years ### What does Spotted Turtle eat? Spotted Turtles are opportunistic eaters, feasting on small creatures and plants found in their watery homes. ### How fast can Spotted Turtle swim? 1.5 km/h ### Where is Spotted Turtle usually found? Wetlands and shallow waters ### How does Spotted Turtle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Grist Mill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grist-mill-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Kirk Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kirk-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Loisdale Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loisdale-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Williamsburg Manor Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/williamsburg-manor-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Greater Cleveland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greater-cleveland-aquarium-ohio) — Ohio, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Spotted Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spotted-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: [Spotted Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-turtle)