Editing Spotted turtle (section)

==Ecology and behavior==

The spotted turtle is one species whose sex is determined by temperature during embryonic development. Some researchers have claimed that global warming may deleteriously impact population sex ratios.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Janzen |first=F. J. |year=1994 |title=Climate change and temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|PNAS]] |volume=91 |issue=16 |pages=7487–7490 |doi=10.1073/pnas.91.16.7487 |jstor=2365309 |bibcode=1994PNAS...91.7487J |pmid=8052608 |pmc=44426|doi-access=free }}</ref>

During the freezing temperatures of winter and the extreme heat of summer, spotted turtles become inactive during environmentally unfavorable conditions. However, the species appears to be relatively tolerant of drought conditions. Spotted turtles do become active very early in the spring, and are often active at relatively cold water temperatures during that season. Activity appears to peak during April and May in the northern part of the range. In the warmest part of the summer (when water temperatures exceed 30&nbsp;°C), they may aestivate terrestrially or aquatically for long periods of time. During summer dormancy, the turtles may burrow into leaf litter in woodlands or marsh edges or open fields; others remain in muskrat burrows or other aquatic refuges.<ref name="Harding1997">{{harvnb|Harding|1997}}</ref> Litzgus and Brooks (2000) have questioned the common presumption that summer dormancy is an attempt by the turtles to avoid high temperatures; data from Ontario and elsewhere suggests that avoidance of predation and conservation of energy resources may be viable alternate explanations. No matter the explanation for dormancy, the "winter" dormant period may commence in late summer or fall, but in almost every instance after a return to aquatic habitats.<ref name="Harding1997"/><ref name= "Ernst">{{harvnb|Ernst|1976}}</ref>

Spotted turtles home ranges tend to occupy limited areas of about 0.5 to 3.5 hectares (1.2 to 8.6 acres).<ref name="Harding1997"/><ref name= "Ernst"/> Note that due to their size, these small turtles are highly vulnerable to predation, particularly during their frequent terrestrial wanderings. Many specimens will show mutilation injuries and scars from past predation attempts. Raccoons (''[[Procyon lotor]]'') are particularly adept at consuming and killing this species. Spotted turtles have been observed to dive into the water and bury themselves in the bottom mud when surprised while basking. Muskrats kill many spotted turtles during the winter dormant period.<ref name="Harding1997"/>

===Diet===
The spotted turtle is an active hunter: seeking out prey items in the water by pointing its head into aquatic plants.<ref name=Ernst27>{{Harvnb|Ernst|1976|p=27}}</ref> It feeds at temperatures above {{convert|14.2|C|F}}, which in its range corresponds to roughly the middle of March onward until September. It is [[omnivore|omnivorous]] and eats exclusively in the water,<ref name=Ernst27/> consuming plant material including [[Aquatic plant|aquatic vegetation]], [[Chlorophyta|green algae]], and in at least one instance, [[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi|wild cranberries]]. Animal food includes aquatic insect larvae,<ref name=Ernst212/> worms, slugs, millipedes, spiders,<ref name=Ernst75>{{harvnb|Ernst|Barbour|1972|p=75}}</ref> crustaceans, tadpoles, [[Mole salamander|salamanders]], and several genera of small [[fish]]. These items are consumed alive or [[Carrion|dead]] but always in the water.<ref name=Ernst212>{{Harvnb|Ernst|Barbour|Lovich|1994|p=212}}</ref> Some of the insects commonly found in with the spotted turtle's stomach contents are terrestrial, suggesting the turtle moves onto land to hunt.<ref name=Ernst75/> In captivity, these turtles will eat fruits such as cantaloupe and watermelon and fresh and canned fish.<ref name=Ernst75/>