BOG TURTLE Clemmys muhlenbergi (Schoepff) 



Order: CHELONIA Family: TESTUDINIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A comparatively small turtle, with a large orange or 

 yellow patch on the side of the head; no scattered yellow spots on shell. 



Present distribution : Isolated colonies from Connecticut to southwestern North 

 Carolina, restricted to freshwater marshes, meadows, and bogs. 



Former distribution : Same as present, but colonies less isolated prior to extensive 

 drainage and cultivation of swampy and boggy land. 



Status : Very uncommon in most localities . 



Estimated numbers : 500 colonies . 



Breeding rate in the wild : One a year; the number of eggs per female is probably not 

 more than 3 to 5 (Barton and Price) . 



Reasons for decline : Extensive destruction of habitat for cultivation and building 

 construction; collected for sale in pet trade where they command a high price due to 

 their rarity . 



Protective measures already taken : Now protected by law in New York State under 

 small game section offish and game laws. The law, passed in 1968, makes it illegal 

 to collect, own, or sell the species in the State, and offenders have been arrested. 

 Pennsylvania has protective laws for the species. It is fully protected in Maryland. 



Measures proposed : A wildlife monument in southeastern Pennsylvania conserving an 

 area of suitable habitat has been proposed by A.J. Barton. Stop commercial trade in 

 turtles . Protect the species from threatened land change . Acquire most important 

 colonies and place under Federal protection. 



Numbers in captivity : Comparatively few, although traffic through pet dealers 

 continues . East coast zoos have seen a steady decline in the numbers brought in by 

 interested persons . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unlikely to represent a practical method for maintaining 

 the species, although there are recoids of reproduction and successful hatching of 

 eggs in captivity. Members of several herpetological scoieties are attempting to hatch 

 eggs, and at least one individual, Kenneth Nemuras, has returned hatchlings to the 

 original habitat. 



References: 



Barton, A. J. (pers. comm . , 1971). 



. , and J . W. Price. 1955. Copeia. 



Conant, R. (pers. comm.). 

 Weaver, J. (pers. comm. 1972). 



90 



