Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a medium-sized, semiterrestrial turtle species found from the Piedmont to the mountains of western Maryland. Among Maryland turtle species, only the fully terrestrial Eastern Box Turtle spends more time on land.
Wood Turtles prefer streams and creeks with clear water and gravel or similar hard substrates. They tend to spend much of their time on land within forested areas or meadows adjacent to waterways. In spring, they are often found wandering far from water or basking in open woodland.
Unfortunately, the Wood Turtle is classified as vulnerable in Maryland and by NatureServe (G3). It is considered endangered by the IUCN Red List. Threats include habitat modification and fragmentation, vehicle mortality, and poaching. Some populations are declining, and their long individual longevity may mask these declines.
There are 99 records in the project database.
| GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |
