Turtles With Yellow Circles: What Species Is It?

Turtles are fascinating creatures with a wide variety of shell colours, patterns, and distinctive markings. While there are many species of turtles, one particular feature that stands out is the presence of yellow circles on their shells. This paragraph aims to introduce and discuss this unique characteristic, exploring the different species of turtles that exhibit this trait and providing a fascinating insight into the world of these shelled reptiles.

Yellow-bellied slider

The yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semi-aquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from southeastern Virginia through the Carolinas, Georgia, northern Florida, and eastern Alabama. It is the most common turtle species in its range and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds.

The yellow-bellied slider is easily identifiable by the yellow patch on the side of its head, which is most evident in juveniles and females. Its name comes from its yellow plastron (bottom shell), which also has black spots along the edges. The carapace (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes, and is oval-shaped with slight serrations around the edges. Older turtles tend to lose these patterns and become darker, sometimes turning completely black. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck, legs, and arms.

These turtles are semi-aquatic and can be found resting on logs, stumps, or rocks when the weather is mild and sunny. They are one of the most conspicuous basking turtles throughout their range, and they are wary baskers, sliding into the water whenever disturbed. They are sometimes found on land, especially females, which are most frequently encountered in the spring while searching for a nesting site.

The yellow-bellied slider is a large turtle, with adult males typically reaching 5–9 inches (13–23 cm) in length, while females range from 8–13 inches (20–33 cm). Females of the species tend to reach a larger body size than males in the same populations. Additionally, studies have shown that females of this species have more symmetrical shells than males, possibly due to more efficient growth or less hormonal stress.

Eastern box turtle

The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a subspecies of the common box turtle. It is native to the Eastern United States, found as far north as southern Maine and as far south as northern Florida, extending west to Texas. It is one of the most commonly seen turtles in the wild.

The Eastern box turtle has a distinctive high, domelike carapace (upper shell) and a hinged plastron (underside shell) that allows it to completely close its shell for protection. Its shell is typically dark brown with yellow or orange markings, although the colouration can vary. The shell grows throughout the turtle's life and develops growth rings. The turtle's skin is usually brown or black with some yellow, orange, red, or white spots or streaks. It has a sharp, horned beak and stout limbs, with four toes on each hind foot. Eastern box turtles range in size from 4.5 to 8 inches (11 to 20 cm) long.

These turtles are long-lived and slow to mature, with a lifespan of over 100 years in captivity. They have a strong homing instinct and are known to remain in the same home range for extended periods. Eastern box turtles are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation caused by human activities.

Ornate box turtle

The ornate box turtle (*Terrapene ornata ornata*) is a small, terrestrial turtle species native to the Great Plains of the United States. It is one of only two land-dwelling turtle species native to this region. The ornate box turtle typically measures between 4 and 6 inches (10-15 cm) when fully grown, with a domed upper shell (carapace) and a hinged lower shell (plastron) that allows it to fully enclose its body for protection. The upper shell is usually brown to black, adorned with yellow lines radiating from the center of each shell segment (scute) towards the edges. The lower shell is dark brown with bold light lines. The skin of the ornate box turtle is greyish-brown, with faint yellow or orange-yellow spots or blotches, and the chin and upper jaw are yellow or yellow-green.

The ornate box turtle is an omnivore, feeding on a variety of plants and animals, including grasses, berries, insects, snails, slugs, worms, roots, flowers, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, and eggs. It is an opportunistic feeder, consuming whatever food is available in its environment. This turtle species is most active in the morning, with a typical daily routine that includes basking after sunrise, foraging for food, resting during the hottest part of the day, and feeding again before resting at night. During the summer, they are generally inactive but will emerge after heavy rain.

In terms of distribution and habitat, the ornate box turtle can be found across a large area of the Midwest, from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico, and from Louisiana to Colorado. It favours grassland habitats, particularly open grass or prairie lands, but has been observed in all habitat types of the Great Plains except aquatic environments. It requires specific microhabitats to survive, including feeding areas with some free water, nesting and burrowing sites for females, and resting sites for thermoregulation. While not spending extensive time in water, the ornate box turtle needs water to regulate its body temperature and replace fluids after hibernation.

The ornate box turtle is currently listed as threatened in Illinois and is a protected species in several Midwestern states, including Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Agriculture, development, over-exploitation for the pet trade, and climate change pose significant threats to its survival. Conservation efforts focus on minimizing human contact, preserving large areas of undisturbed habitat, and implementing proper management techniques for prairie conservation.

Spotted turtle

The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is a small semi-aquatic turtle species native to the wetlands of the east coast and the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as southern regions of Canada. It is the only species in the genus Clemmys.

Appearance

Habitat

Behaviour and Diet

Conservation Status

The spotted turtle is threatened by the loss, alteration, and fragmentation of its habitat, as well as poaching and collection for the pet trade. It is federally endangered in Canada and is under review for protection under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Yellow-blotched map turtle

The yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata), also known as the yellow-blotched sawback, is a species of turtle native to the Pascagoula River system of Mississippi and its tributaries. It is a member of the Emydidae family and is part of the narrow-headed group of map turtles.

The yellow-blotched map turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle, with males having a carapace length of 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9-11.5 cm) and females measuring 5 to 7.5 inches (13-19 cm) as adults. The carapace is olive to brown in colour, with a moderately high dome and a well-defined central keel. Spine-like projections can be found on the first four vertebrals, becoming less noticeable as the turtle ages. The posterior edge of the carapace is serrated.

The primary identifying feature of this species is the yellow to yellow-orange blotches on each of the pleural scutes, which can also appear as broken blotches, crescents, or rings. The dorsal surface of the marginal scutes is marked with a wide yellow bar or semi-circle. These markings tend to fade as the turtle ages, especially in females. The plastron base is cream to yellow, with dark patterning along the seams that also fades over time. The skin of the turtle is charcoal, off-black, or dark olive with yellow markings, including a bold inter-orbital stripe from the eyes to the nose.

In terms of diet, yellow-blotched map turtles primarily feed on insects but are opportunistic feeders and will also consume crustaceans, fish, and some plant matter, such as algae. They are generally diurnal and active throughout the year, spending much of their day basking, even during rain or low temperatures. They are excellent climbers and have been observed basking at heights of up to 3.7m above the water line.

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