Editing Blanding's turtle

{{Short description|Species of turtle}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) (17812011862).jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = 
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="Rhodin11">{{Harnvb|Rhodin|2011|p=000.185}}</ref><ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author1=van Dijk, P.P. |author1-link=species:Peter Paul van Dijk |author2=Rhodin, A.G.J. |author2-link=species:Anders Gunnar Johannes Rhodin |year=2011 |title=''Emydoidea blandingii '' |errata=2019 |page=e.T7709A155088836 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T7709A155088836.en |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref>
| status2 = CITES_A2 
| status2_system = CITES 
| status2_ref = <ref name="CITES">{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref>
| genus = Emydoidea
| parent_authority = [[John Edward Gray|JE Gray]], 1870
| species = blandingii
| authority = ([[John Edwards Holbrook|Holbrook]], 1838)<ref name="Rhodin11" /><ref name="Rhodin138-9">{{Harnvb|Rhodin|2010|pp=000.138–000.139}}</ref><ref name="Rhodin105-6">{{Harnvb|Rhodin|2010|pp=000.105–000.106}}</ref>
| display_parents = 2
| subdivision_ranks = 
| subdivision = 
| range_map = Emys blandingii distribution.svg
| range_map_caption = The range of Blanding's turtle
| synonyms = *''[[Testudo (genus)|Testudo]] flava'' <br /><small>[[Bernard Germain de Lacépède|Lacépède]], 1788</small> <br />''([[Nomen oblitum|nomen suppressum]])''
*''Testudo flava'' <br /><small>— [[Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre|Bonaterre]], 1789</small> <br />''(nomen suppressum)''
*''Testudo meleagris'' <br /><small>[[George Shaw (biologist)|Shaw]], 1793</small> <br />''(nomen suppressum)''
*''Cistuda blandingii'' <br /><small>[[John Edwards Holbrook|Holbrook]], 1838</small> <br />''([[nomen conservandum]])''
*''[[Emys]] blandingii'' <br /><small>— [[Alexander Strauch|Strauch]], 1862</small>
*''Emydoidea blandingii'' <br /><small>— [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1870</small>
*''Emys twentei'' <br /><small>[[Edward Harrison Taylor|Taylor]], 1943</small>
<!-- *''Emydoidea blandingi'' ([[lapsus]]) -->
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="Rhodin105-6"/><ref>[[species:Uwe Fritz|Fritz, Uwe]]; [[species:Peter Havaš|Havaš, Peter]] (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". ''Vertebrate Zoology'' '''57''' (2): 149–368. (''Emydoidea blandingii'', pp. 180–181).</ref><ref>{{EMBL species|genus=Emydoidea|species=blandingii}} www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
}}

'''Blanding's turtle''' ('''''Emydoidea blandingii''')''<ref name="Rhodin11" /><ref name="Rhodin105-6"/> is a [[species]] of semi-aquatic [[turtle]] of the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Emydidae]]. This species is native to central and eastern parts of [[Canada]] and the [[United States]].<ref name=iucn/> It is considered to be an [[endangered species]] throughout much of its range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/tessp/profile.cfm?Type=Freshwater%20Turtle&Name=Blanding's%20Turtle&View=Species|title=Blanding's Turtle|publisher=Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers|access-date=2006-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114065704/http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/tessp/profile.cfm?Type=Freshwater%20Turtle&Name=Blanding's%20Turtle&View=Species|archive-date=2009-01-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or no [[senescent|common signs of aging]] and is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life.<ref name="Morai2016"/><ref>[[Michael Brooks (science writer)|Brooks, Michael]] (2008). Chapter 9: "Death". ''[[13 Things That Don't Make Sense]]''. New York: Doubleday. {{ISBN|9781861978172}}.</ref>

==Taxonomy==
There are differences of opinion as to the [[genus]] for this species; both ''[[Emys]]'' and ''[[Emydoidea]]'' occur in published sources in 2009, 2010, and 2011.<ref name="Rhodin11" /><ref name="Rhodin138-9"/>

==Etymology==
Both the [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''blandingii'', and the common name, Blanding's turtle, are in honor of [[Americans|American]] [[Natural history|naturalist]] Dr. [[species:William Blanding|William Blanding]] (1773–1857).<ref>{{cite book|vauthors=[[species:Bo Beolens|Beolens B]], [[species:Michael Watkins|Watkins M]], [[species:Michael Grayson|Grayson M]]|year=2011|title=The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles|location=Baltimore|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|pages=xiii + 296|isbn=978-1-4214-0135-5}} (''Emydoidea blandingii'', p. 27).</ref>

==Description==
Blanding's turtle is a medium-sized turtle with an average straight [[carapace]] length of approximately {{convert|18|to|23|cm|in|abbr=on}} with a maximum of {{convert|25.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 July 2007 |title=Status Assessment for the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Northeast |url=https://www.blandingsturtle.org/uploads/3/0/4/3/30433006/embl_status_assessment_30jul07.pdf}}<!-- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> A distinguishing feature of this turtle is the bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace, or upper shell, is domed, but slightly flattened along the midline, and is oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is speckled with numerous yellow or light-colored flecks or streaks on a dark background. The [[plastron]], or lower shell, is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged. The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow. Blanding's turtle is also called the "semi-box" turtle, for although the [[plastron]] is hinged, the plastral lobes do not shut as tight as the [[box turtle]]s'.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-10-18 |date=2017-08-12 |first=Stacey |language=en |last=Cole |title=Stacey Cole's Nature Talks: Have you seen a Blanding's turtle this summer? |url=https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/stacey-coles-nature-talks-have-you-seen-a-blandings-turtle-this-summer/article_fd4c7f80-e0c6-5b79-8b7c-11edb0b51ed9.html |website=UnionLeader.com}}<!-- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

==Reproduction==
Blanding's turtle takes 14–20 years to reach sexual maturity. Mating probably occurs in April and early May with nesting beginning in early June and lasting throughout the month.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=[[species:Ross D. MacCulloch|MacCulloch RD]], [[species:Wayne F. Weller|Weller WF]]|title=Reproduction in a Lake Erie population of Blanding's Turtle, ''Emydoidea blandingii ''|journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology|date=1988|volume=66|issue=10|pages=2317–2319|doi=10.1139/z88-345}}</ref> [[Clutch (eggs)|Clutch]] size varies from region to region. In [[New York (state)|New York]], the clutch size ranges from five to twelve eggs, with an average of eight.

==Behavior and life span==
Blanding's turtle [[overwinter]]s under or near water, in mud, or under vegetation or debris. This is known as [[brumation]]. During the nesting season, a female Blanding's turtle may be found more than a kilometer from where it hibernated. It is [[omnivorous]], eating [[crustacean]]s (including [[crayfish]]), [[insect]]s (such as [[dragonfly]] [[Nymph (biology)|nymph]]s and [[Water beetle|aquatic beetle]]s), [[snail]]s and other [[invertebrate]]s, [[fish]], fish [[egg]]s, [[frog]]s, [[carrion]], [[berries]], [[seed]]s, and [[vegetable]] debris.<ref name=ADW>{{cite web |first1=Evan |last1=Grey |title=''Emydoidea blandingii'' |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Emydoidea_blandingii/|website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] |publisher=[[University of Michigan]] |access-date=18  August 2024}}</ref> It will eat [[Ceratophyllum demersum|coontail]], [[Lemna minor|duckweed]], [[Carex comosa|sedge]], and [[Scirpus|bulrush]].<ref name=ADW/> It is capable of catching live fish. Based on the extreme lack of aging symptoms and lack of age related decline, this turtle is considered a negligibly [[senescent]] species.<ref name="Morai2016">{{Cite news|url=http://www.clarecanfield.com/emydoidea-blandingii/|title=''Emydoidea blandingii ''|date=2016-10-30|newspaper=The Moirai – Aging Research|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-13|archive-date=2018-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903014920/http://www.clarecanfield.com/emydoidea-blandingii/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Blanding's turtle is a timid turtle and may plunge into water and remain on the bottom for hours when alarmed. If away from water, the turtle will withdraw into its shell. It is very gentle and rarely attempts to bite. It is very agile and a good swimmer.

== <!-- Blanding's turtles do not appear to age once they have reached adulthood. When compared to, for example, a 20-year-old turtle, a 70-year-old exhibits negligible senescence, and may, in fact, be "better at scouting out the good nesting places and also produce more progeny". {{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} -->  Distribution and habitat ==
[[File:Minson Blandings - Flickr - USDAgov.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Affixing a transmitter for research purposes]]
The geographic range of ''E.&nbsp;blandingii'' centres on the [[Great Lakes]], and extends from central [[Nebraska]] and [[Minnesota]] (where it twice failed to become the [[List of U.S. state reptiles|state reptile]])<ref name="Minnesota proposed">{{cite web|title=Minnesota State Symbols—Unofficial, Proposed, or Facetious|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/unsym.aspx|publisher=Minnesota State Legislature|access-date=2011-02-25}}</ref> eastward through southern [[Ontario]] and the south shore of [[Lake Erie]] as far east as northern New York. In Nebraska, this turtle is uncommon in the eastern portion of the state, but common to abundant in the Sand Hills region lakes, ponds, and streams. There are also isolated populations in southeastern [[New York (state)|New York]] ([[Dutchess County, New York|Dutchess County]]), [[New England]], and [[Nova Scotia]].<ref>{{cite book|vauthors=[[species:Carl H. Ernst|Ernst CH]], [[Roger W. Barbour|Barbour RW]], [[Jeffrey E. Lovich|Lovich JE]]|year=1994|title=Turtles of the United States and Canada|publisher= Smithsonian Institution|location=Washington|page= 242}}</ref>

Its general habitat is [[wetlands]] with clean shallow water. It is known to bask on logs, and will wander far from water, particularly when nesting. It generally nests in sunny areas, with well drained soil. Younger turtles may bask on sedge and alder hummocks. Young will often travel far in search of mating sites, new habitat, or new food sources, as do elder turtles.

==Conservation status==
The primary threat to Blanding's turtle is [[habitat fragmentation]] and destruction as well as nest predation by unnaturally large populations of predators.<ref name=iucn/> It is listed as an [[endangered species]] on the [[IUCN Red List]]<ref name=iucn/> as endangered in some U.S. states, and as either threatened or endangered throughout Canada, though in the U.S. it has no federal status. International trade in Blanding's turtle is restricted, as the species is listed in Appendix II of the [[Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species]] (CITES) meaning that international trade is regulated by the CITES permit system.<ref name="CITES"/>

This species can also be adversely affected by prescribed burns. During fall and late spring hatchlings move overland and it is recommended that prescribed burns should be avoided during these times.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Refsnider JM, Linck MH|date=2012 |title=Habitat use and movement patterns of Blanding's Turtles (''Emydoidea blandingii)'' in Minnesota, USA: a landscape approach to species conservation |url=https://herpconbio.org/Volume_7/Issue_2/Refsnider_Linck_2012.pdf|journal=Herpetological Conservation and Biology |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=185–195 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>

The U.S. states in which it is considered endangered are [[Indiana]],<ref name=312iac>{{Cite web|author=Indiana Legislative Services Agency|year=2011|title=312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians|work=Indiana Administrative Code|access-date=28 Apr 2012|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/}}</ref> [[Illinois]], [[List of endangered species in Missouri|Missouri]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Endangered Species in the Field Guide|url=http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/endangered-species/endangered-species-field-guide|website=Discover Nature Field Guide|publisher=MO Dept. of Conservation|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[South Dakota]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pubstorage.sdstate.edu/agbio_publications/articles/ec919.pdf|title=A Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles|publisher=South Dakota State University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021133339/http://pubstorage.sdstate.edu/AgBio_Publications/articles/EC919.pdf|archive-date=2013-10-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is considered threatened in New York and Iowa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Study tracks reclusive, threatened turtle species to better understand habitat needs |url=https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/4176/Study-tracks-reclusive-threatened-turtle-species-to-better-understand-habitat-needs |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Iowa Department of Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blanding's Turtle Fact Sheet|url=http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7166.html|publisher=New York State Department of Environmental Conservation|access-date=22 May 2015}}</ref> In [[Michigan]], Blanding's turtle is also fully protected as a [[List of threatened fauna of Michigan|special concern species]],<ref>[https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/description/11490 Blanding's Turtle (''Emys blandingii)'']. Michigan Natural Features Inventory.</ref> making it unlawful to kill, take, trap, possess, buy, or sell.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michigan's Rare Animals|url=https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/animals|access-date=2020-04-12}}</ref> In [[Lake County, Illinois]], a long-term species recovery program has been underway since 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lake County celebrates World Turtle Day with release of 100 endangered Blanding's turtles |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801040902/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-world-turtle-day-st-0524-story.html |archive-date=2021-08-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-world-turtle-day-st-0524-story.html}}</ref>

In Canada, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River population in [[Ontario]] and [[Quebec]] is federally threatened,<ref>[http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=846 Blanding's Turtle Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610232130/http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=846 |date=2013-06-10 }}, Species At Risk Public Registry</ref> and the [[Nova Scotia]] population is endangered.<ref>[http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=276 Blanding's Turtle Nova Scotia Population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610224620/http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=276 |date=2013-06-10 }}, Species At Risk Public Registry.</ref>
Conservation and recovery efforts in Nova Scotia have been in place for two decades and rely on [[habitat]] and [[Life history theory|life history]] monitoring based on the work of conservation practitioners, researchers, and volunteers. Habitat protection has proven crucial. The population in [[Kejimkujik National Park]] has been placed under the highest level of protection, where volunteers and [[Parks Canada]] staff carry out annual efforts to protect the turtle's nests from predation and monitor their population over time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/activ/decouverte-tours/opportunite-benevolat-volunteer-opportunities/surveillance-des-tortues-turtle-monitoring|title = Blanding’s turtle nest monitoring Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site|date = 2024-02-29}}</ref> The McGowan Lake population was initially protected by [[Bowater]] but has since been taken over by the Province. In [[Pleasant River, Nova Scotia|Pleasant River]], the Nova Scotia Nature Trust protects four separate segments of [[critical habitat]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Government of Canada|year=2017|title=Recovery Strategy for the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Nova Scotia Population, in Canada|publisher=Species at Risk Public Registry|url=http://sararegistry.gc.ca/document/doc2243p/p3_e.cfm?pedisable=false}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
*{{cite web|url=http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v3_2010.pdf |title=Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status|date=2010-12-14|access-date=2010-12-15|last=Rhodin|first=Anders G.J.|author2=van Dijk, Peter Paul|author3=Iverson, John B.|author4=Shaffer, H. Bradley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717125632/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v3_2010.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-17|ref=CITEREFRhodin2010 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite journal|url=http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v4_2011.pdf |title=Turtles of the world, 2011 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status|journal=Chelonian Research Monographs|volume=5|date=2011-12-31|author1=Rhodin, Anders G.J.|author2=van Dijk|author3=Peter Paul|author4=Iverson, John B.|author5=Shaffer, H. Bradley|author6=Roger, Bour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131102839/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v4_2011.pdf|archive-date=2012-01-31|ref=CITEREFRhodin2011|url-status=dead}}

==Further reading==
*[[John L. Behler|Behler JL]], [[species:F.rederic Wayne King|King FW]] (1979). ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians''. New York: Knopf. 743 pp. {{ISBN|0-394-50824-6}}. (''Emydoidea blandingi'' [sic], p.&nbsp;458 + Plate 291).
*[[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]] (1975). ''A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. {{ISBN|0-395-19979-4}} (hardcover), {{ISBN|0-395-19977-8}} (paperback). (''Emydoidea blandingi'' [sic], p.&nbsp;71 + Plates 5,7 + Map 26).
*[[species:Coleman Jett Goin|Goin CJ]], [[species:Olive Lynda Bown Goin|Goin OB]], [[species:George Robert Zug|Zug GR]] (1978). ''Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition''. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. xi + 378 pp. {{ISBN|0-7167-0020-4}}. (Genus ''Emydoidea'', p.&nbsp;259).
*[[John Edward Gray|Gray JE]] (1870). ''Supplement to the Catalogue of Shield Reptiles in the Collection of the British Museum. Part I. Testudinata (Tortoises)''. London: British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). 120 pp. (''Emydoidea'' new genus; ''Emydoidea blandingii'', new combination, p. 19).
*[[John Edwards Holbrook|Holbrook JE]] (1838). ''North American Herpetology; or, A Description of the Reptiles Inhabiting the United States. Vol. III.'' Philadelphia: J. Dobson. 122 pp. + Plates I-XXX. (''Cistuda blandingii'', pp.&nbsp;35–38 + Plate V).
*[[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith HM]], [[species:Edmund Darrell Brodie Jr.|Brodie ED Jr]] (1982). ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}}. (''Emydoidea blandingi'' [sic], pp.&nbsp;44–45).
*[[Leonhard Stejneger|Stejneger L]], [[Thomas Barbour|Barbour T]] (1917). ''A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles''. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 125 pp. (''Emys blandingii'', p.&nbsp;115).

==External links==
{{Commons category|Emydoidea blandingii}}
* [https://www.herprman.com/species/turtles/blandings-turtle/ Blanding's Turtle], Herpetological Resource and Management (HRM) of Michigan
* [http://wwx.inhs.illinois.edu/collections/herps/data/ilspecies/em_blandin/ Blanding's Turtle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903082017/http://wwx.inhs.illinois.edu/collections/herps/data/ilspecies/em_blandin/ |date=2018-09-03 }}, Illinois Natural History Survey
* [https://www.iowaherps.com/species/emydoidea_blandingii Blanding's Turtle], Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa

{{Emydidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q185526}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fauna of the Great Lakes region (North America)]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Plains-Midwest (United States)]]
[[Category:Reptiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Canada]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Ontario]]
[[Category:Emydinae]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1838]]