Spotted Turtle

8/21/20 -

Evelyn Bollert sent the photo at far right of a spotted turtle looking for a place to lay her eggs in Weatogue. Jay Kaplan, director at Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, writes, “Along with wood and eastern box turtles, the spotted turtle has been added to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Endangered Species List as what is known as a species of special concern. Spotted turtle populations have declined over the years here in the Farmington Valley due to the draining of the wooded swamps in which they live, mortality from being hit while crossing roads, and loss of individuals that have been taken as pets. Please leave all turtles in the wild and try to avoid them on the roads.”