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Environmental Review Fact Sheet Series I Endangel'ed, 'I'hl'cutcncd, and Slleeial COnCC1']I Species ofllinnesota Illnnding's rrUl"tle (Emllrloitlea blmulhif/it) Minnesota Stahls: Federal Status: Threatened none State Rank': Global Rankl: 82 04 HABITAT USE Blanding's tmtles need both wetland and upland habitats to complete their life cycle. The types of wetlands used include ponds, marshes, shrub swamp", bogs, and ditches and sh'eams witb slow-moving water, In Milmesota, Blanding's turtles are pril11alily marsh and pond inhabitants. Calm, shallow water bodies (Type 1-3 wetlands) with mud bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetation (cattails, water lilies, etc.) are preferred, and extensive marshes bordering rivers provide excellent habitat. Small temporary wetlands (those that dry up in the late SUlllil1Cr or fall) are frequently used in spring and summer -- these fish less pools are amphibian and inveltebrate breeding habitat, which provides an important food source for Blanding's tmiles. Also, the wanner water of these shaI10wer areas probably aids in the development of eggs within the female turtle Nesting occurs in open (gmssy or bmshy) sandy uplands, often some distance from water bodies. Frequently, nesting occurs in traditional nesting grounds on undeveloped land. Blanding's turtles have also been known to nest successhllly on residential property (especially in lovi density housing sihmtions), and to utilize disturbed areas such as f31m fields, gardens, Imder power lines, and road shoulders (especially of dirt roads). Although Blanding's turtles may travel through woodlots during their seasonal movements, shady areas (including forests and lawns with shade trees) are not used for nesting. Wetlauds with deeper water arc nceded in times of drought, and during the winter. Blanding's turtles overwinter in the muddy bottoms of deeper marshes and ponds, or other water bodies \vhere tbey are protected from freezing. LIFE RISTOn y Individuals emerge from overwintering and bcgin basking in late March or carly April on wann, sunny days. The increase in body temperahtre which occurs during basking is necessary for egg development within the female tlllile. Nesting in Minnesota typically occurs during June, and females are most active in late afternoon and at dusk. Nesting can occur as much as a mite from wetlands, The nest is dug by the female in an open sandy area and 6-15 eggs are laid. The female tmile reillms to the marsh within 24 hours of laying eggs, After a development period of approximately tWo months, hatchlings leave the nest from mid-August through early-October. Nesting females and hatchlings are often at risk of being killed while crossing roads between wetlands and nesting areas, In addition to movements associated with nesting, all ages and both sexes move betwecn wetlarids from April through November. These movements peak in June and July and again in September and October as turtles move to and from ovenvintering sites. In late autumn (typically November), Blanding's turtles bury themselves in the substrate (the mud at the bottom) of deeper wetlands to overwinter, IMP ACTS / THREATS I CAUSES OF DECLINE . loss of wetland habitat through drainage or flooding (converting wetlands into ponds or lakes) . loss of upland habitat through development or conversion to agriculture . hwnan disturbance, including collection for the pet trade* and road kills during seasonal movements . increase in predator populations (sh.',mks, racoons, etc.) which prey on nests and young *rt is illegal to possess Ihis threatened species.