Blanding's Turtle

We just returned from our annual camping party with a great group of friends. We camp out in the boonies near Comins, MI. The property includes a private lake and the wildlife is abundant. Deer, turkey, raccoon & bear come in daily. This year we were treated to an extra special visitor, a Blanding's Turtle.

Blanding's Turtles are semi-aquatic turtles native to the central & eastern portions of the United States & Canada. Named after Dr. William Blanding, the American naturalist who first observed this species, Blanding's Turtles are an endangered species throughout most of the areas they inhabit.

​Blanding's Turtles are unique because they show little to no signs of aging. Because of its size we can safely assume this turtle is old. But how old is anyone's guess. Blanding's Turtles reach sexual maturity after 14 to 20 years and can breed into their 80's!

• Prefers the shallow, weedy waters of swamps, ponds & lakes.
• ​Winters under/near water, in mud, debris or vegetation.
• ​Clutch sizes (eggs) vary by region.
• Shy & gentle, they rarely bite.

• Omnivorous: Eats fish, crawdads, frogs, insects, larvae, carrion, and berries.
• ​Able to catch & eat live fish.
• Can stay underwater for hours.
• Agile, will travel up to 1 kilometer.

Blanding's Turtle Identification

• Bright yellow chin & throat - resembles a permanent smile.
• Head & legs are dark in color with yellow mottling or speckling.
• Oblong, domed shell is slightly flattened along the midline.
• Upper shell (carapace) is dark with yellow or light colored speckles, flecks or streaks.
• Bottom shell (plastron) is yellow with dark, symmetrical blotches.
• Sometimes referred to as a "Semi-Box Turtle" because the Blanding's Turtle's plastron (bottom shell) is hinged. However, the plastral lobes do not shut as tight as a true box turtle.
• Adult Blanding's Turtles shells range from 6" to just over 10 inches long. This turtle could be older than all of us!

Turtle Power!
Watch the Video Below to See a Blanding's Turtle In Action

Happy Campers!

As always, our camping trip was full of fun & excitement. We caught a raccoon in a live-trap and relocated the little trash bandit to a more suitable home in the woods. Jason caught "Walter" (the biggest fish of the weekend) on a little kiddy pole. Once we stopped laughing, Jason posed for a quick photo before releasing Walter back into the lake. Perhaps we'll see him again next year?

Another great catch for Jason!
Last weekend we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.
Life with Jason certainly has been an adventure.
But I never imagined our lives would become a Pillywiggins Adventure.
Yet here we are... 
Living Happily Ever After