1. Bog Turtle By: Devin

2. Biome, Ecosystem, And Habitat  The Bog Turtle’s Biome, Ecosystem, or Habitat is Eastern U.S.  They live in bogs, marshlands, and swamps.

3. Description  Color- The color of the bog turtle is dark brown or black shell, dark brown head, neck, and limbs, large red or orange band, and yellow or orange blotch  Weight- The weight of the bog turtle is 4 ounces  Size- Bog Turtles are among the world’s smallest turtle species. Adult carapaces measure 3 to 4.5 inches.

4. Food  Some of the plants that the bog turtles eat are seeds, berries, and green vegetation.  Some animals or insects that the bog turtle’s eat are slugs, snails, crayfish, and worms.

5. Young (offspring)  Bog turtle’s mate in spring and nest in summer, with females typically laying a clutch of one to six eggs a year.  Hatchlings grow quickly but may not reach sexual maturity until they are 10 years old.  Beyond nesting, there is no parental care.

6. Predators  Bog Turtles have many natural predators, but the biggest threat to their survival is the fragile nature of their vanishing ecosystem.  Populations have also been negatively affected by the pet trade, although the species is now legally protected.

7. Remaining Population  The estimated population of the bog turtle is 2,500 to 10,000.

8. Reasons It Is Endangered  In addition to bog turtles needing a very specific habitat, much of the remaining habitat is in the Northeast.

9. Conservation Measures  Plants such as loosestrife and reed can quickly invade the bog turtles habitat resulting in the loss of basking and nesting areas.  Contamination by pesticides, agricultural run- off, and industrial waste also affect the bog turtle’s habitat in a negative way.

10. Interesting Facts  Live in Georgia’s rarest ecosystems  Hibernate in winter, often using the same mud burrows year after year  They defend their territory

11. Works Cited  ZOO ATLANTA. BOG TURTLE. INTERNET. www.zooatlanta.org 10-14-12  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.BOG TURTLE FACT SHEET. INTERNET. www. dec. ny. gov/animals 17164.html 10-14-12  “BOG TURTLE”. INTERNET. www. Rosamondgiffordzoo.org 10-14-12  Karma Williams. “Bog Turtles-Could These Small Turtles Be Hiding in a Wetland Near You”. Ezinearticles.com 10-23-12  Eco Watch. Internet. Ecowatch.org 10-24-12