Wood Turtle

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Wood Turtle

Glyptemys insculpta.

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN) ^[1]

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Glyptemys
Species:	G. insculpta

Binomial name

Glyptemys insculpta
(Le Conte, 1830)

The Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is one of two species in the genus Glyptemys, both of which are limited to North America. Until recently, the Wood Turtle was placed in the genus Clemmys but genetic analyses revealed that the Wood Turtle and Bog Turtle formed a distinct group ^[2]. The Wood Turtle reaches lengths of 6 to 8 inches. The wood turtle is accurately named, and spends most of its time in wooded areas. It is, however, also semi-aquatic and dependent on streams, rivers, and ponds.^[3]

[edit] References

^ Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (2002). Clemmys insculpta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
^ Feldman, C.R. and J.F. Parham. 2002. Molecular phylogenetics of Emydine turtles: taxonomic revision and the evolution of shell kinesis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 22:388-398.
^ Wood Turtle Retrieved October 26, 2006