At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The bog turtle is the smallest turtle in North America, with an orange blotch on each side of its head. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It lives in small, spring-fed wetlands and bogs.
Range & habitat
Wetlands of the eastern United States.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss and drainage of wetlands
- Collection for the pet trade
- Invasive plants
Why it matters
A tiny wetland turtle dependent on vanishing bogs and fens, the bog turtle is a flagship for protecting small freshwater wetlands in the eastern US.
Sources
Sources for Bog Turtle
- IUCN Red List — look up Bog Turtle (authoritative status)
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz
Frequently Asked Questions
How small is the bog turtle?
It is the smallest turtle in North America, only around 8-11 cm long, with a distinctive orange patch on each side of the head.
Why is the bog turtle Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss and drainage of its wetland habitat, collection for the pet trade, and invasive plants choking its bogs. See the IUCN Red List.
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