Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Emydidae Members:
Clemmys guttata - Spotted Turtle

Photo: K. Bischof

Photo: B. Bockhahn

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Subfamily: Emydinae


Taxonomic Comments: Clemmys is currently considered a monotypic genus within the subfamily Emydinae. In the past, however, a number of other species were included under Clemmys, such as Bog Turtles, Wood Turtles, and Pacific Pond Turtles. Recent DNA analysis, however, has moved these species into separate genera, with the relationships between all members of the Emydinae still being worked out (see SSAR, 2017, for details).
Species Comments: No subspecies are recognized

Identification

Basis for Records: This species can be easily identified based on good-quality photos. A view of the carapace and/or head is usually sufficient for identification.

Field Marks: This is a small turtle with a dark gray or blackish carapace possessing widely separated, round spots of yellow or orange. The head and legs are also spotted. Some older individuals and occasionally juveniles can be completely black (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). Males can be distinguished by their head markings: a brown chin and iris and dusky jaws (Palmer and Braswell). Females usually have a yellow-to-pink chin and jaws, and an orange iris. They may also have a oblique yellow or orange line located behind the eye running below the tympanum; males typically just have a few spots in this position. Bog Turtles are smaller than Spotted Turtles and lack the spots on the carapace; their heads also have conspicuous orange patches on the sides. Painted Turtles are also similar in size and shape but have broad pale bands on the carapace rather than small spots and their heads have larger spots of yellow than are present in the Spotted Turtle.

Morphological Features: The shell is elliptical when viewed from above, with some narrowing anteriorly; it is also somewhat flattened. The plastron lacks a hinge, unlike those of Eastern Box Turtles, Musk Turtles, and Mud Turtles, all of which also have more elevated or domed carapaces. Maximum carpace lengths measured in North Carolina are 4.4" (112 mm), males and 4.5" (115 mm), females (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Lovich (2009)

Field Guide Descriptions: Beane et al. (2010); Powell et al. (2016)

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Observation Methods: Individuals can be seen basking or moving underwater in the shallow wetlands they prefer; they can also be occasionally found moving overland. They are usually seen most often in the spring, when they their activity levels are highest; they can be difficult to find later in the summer, especially when their ponds dry out.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution Comments: Spotted Turtles are largely confined to the Coastal Plain, although with a few populations located in counties immediately west of the Fall-line.
Distribution Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); NCMNS Herpetology Collection Database (accessed 2023-01). GBIF.org (14 February 2023) GBIF Occurrence Download https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.jaht9j
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: Spotted turtles are found in wet pastures, marshes, woodland and floodplain pools, and small streams in the Coastal Plain and adjoining areas of the eastern Piedmont (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Environmental and Physiological Tolerances: This species ranges north as far as Canada and its restriction to the Coastal Plain in North Carolina does not appear to be due to intolerance of cold temperatures. Their restriction to the Coastal Plain throughout their range in the Southeast is more likely due to the abundance of shallow wetlands in the flat, poorly-drained topography of that region.

Adaptations to Natural Disturbances: The shallow wetlands preferred by this species are naturally created by beavers. These habitats undergo succession and the species that inhabit them must be able to disperse between those that are filling in and those that are newly created or restored by the beavers. Spotted Turtles appear to be well-capable of making overland movements between these habitats.

Biotic Relationships: Spotted Turtles are omnivores, feeding on both plants and animals, especially invertebrates. Palmer and Braswell (1995) report them feeding on crayfish, earthworms, slugs and beetles, as well as the seeds of White Arrow-arum (Peltandra sagittifolia. Elsewhere, they have been observed feeding on carrion, as well as small amphibians and fish (Buhlman et al., 2008).

Common Raccoons are probably the most important predator of this species (Buhlman et al., 2008), with predation on nests and juveniles both probably significant.

Life History and Autecology

Terrestrial Life History: Spotted Turtles occupy home ranges that are not defended and, hence, they are not territorial

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S4

Global Rank: G5

Status in North Carolina: W1

Photo Gallery for Clemmys guttata - Spotted Turtle		37 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: L. Thomas Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: L. Thomas Harnett Co. Comment:	Recorded by: M.Windsor Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Sanford, C. Griffin Camden Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Paul Hart Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Paul Hart Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Swanson Onslow Co. Comment:	Recorded by: B. Swanson Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: M. Strnad Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: N. Crider Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: N. Crider Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Sanford Camden Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Camden Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Park Visitor Conner Bowen Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Davis New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jane Wyche Gates Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jane Wyche Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof, J. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof, J. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof, J. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:

Clemmys guttata - Spotted Turtle

Photo Gallery for Clemmys guttata - Spotted Turtle

37 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.