Blandings Turtle

 

Blandings Turtle  (Emydoides blandingii)– Status: Threatened

The Blandings Turtle can be easily identified by its yellow chin and helmet –like dome of a shell. They have yellow spots on the shell that fades with age. The mouth curves slightly in the corners giving the Blandings a happy look. The eyes protrude above the head adding to the cuteness factor of this rarely seen turtle. These guys can be found in still waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation and are spread out sporadically throughout the southern and central regions of Ontario. They are known as travellers because they tend to move around to different locations within their home range. This, of course, makes them vulnerable to traffic injuries and fatalities.