06/10/2026
Great info about Blanding’s Turtles! We have received SO MANY turtles hit by cars, please watch for them and all animals that are moving about this time of year!
Welcome back to the latest installment in our Michigan turtles series!
This week, we’ll be looking at the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Native to North America, this turtle is found in parts of central and eastern Canada and the U.S., primarily surrounding the Great Lakes region. Distinguishable by their bright yellow chin and throat, Blanding’s turtles are omnivorous, and their diet typically consists of a combination of crustaceans, insects, snails, fish, and frogs, as well as berries, seeds, and certain plants.
Blanding’s turtles are typically active from early April to late October, and prefer wetland habitats such as ponds, marshes, swamps, and wet prairies, though they will also occupy terrestrial habitats during their mating and nesting seasons during the spring and summer. They spend the winter in a state of dormancy known as brumation, during which they submerge themselves under water, mud, or plant debris.
Reaching maturity at between 14-20 years of age, Blanding’s turtles are known for their particularly long lifespans, and have been documented to reach upwards of 80 years of age in the wild. However, despite their longer lifespans, they show notably few signs of aging, and are capable of reproduction throughout their entire lifespans after reaching the age of maturity.
The Blanding’s turtle is classified as endangered in seven states, as well as being classified in Michigan as a species of special concern. Blanding’s turtles face the biggest threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as road traffic collisions and illegal poaching and collection. One example of an effort being made to aid this species is in Lake County Illinois, where a Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program has been run and operated by the Lake County Forest Preserve since 2010.
Photo Credit: Dan Burton
