The bog turtle is a listed species in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Find detailed information on the bog turtle, its threats, and what Massachusetts is doing to conserve this animal in its official factsheet.
Fast facts
Common name: Bog turtle
Scientific name: Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Range in MA: Western Massachusetts
Conservation status: endangered (MESA), Threatened (US ESA)
Fun fact: Hatchlings are about 1 in long, making them quite large compared to their adult size.
Similar-looking species: Painted turtle
Identification tip: Bog turtles can only get 4.5 inches long and have a bright orange blotch on the side of their head.
Description
The bog turtle’s carapace (upper shell) is oval and can range in color from mahogany to dull brown. Some individuals have dark “starburst” patterns radiating from the growing center of each scute. Like other turtles in the Emydinae subfamily (like the wood turtle and Blanding’s turtle) the bog turtle’s plastron or lower shell is cream-colored with brown or black markings on each of 12 plastral scutes. Bog turtles have a distinctive, bright orange blotch on the side of their head, with a brownish or grayish neck and brownish limbs and tail. As with most emydine turtles, males have concave plastrons (females are flat to convex) and longer tales than females. Males are also larger than females.