Michigan Herps

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina)

 Identification: Snappers have very large carapaces that can be black, brown or olive in color, but are often completely covered in algae. They have a very long tail with spikes that run along the bridge of it. Snappers also have very large clawed feet which helps them move along muddy bottoms they inhabit. Adult carapace length is 8-20 inches.

Habitat: Snappers can be found in ponds, lakes, slow moving streams, and marshes. They prefer weedy shallowes where they can hide and wait to ambush a passing fish.

Although they are quick to flee from humans, if they are lifted from the water, Snapping Turtles can become extremely aggressive and upset. They will even approach and intruder and attempt to bite. Snapper bites can be painful and quite serious, there have been cases of fingers being removed by large adults.

Blanding's Turtle (Emys blandingii)

 Identification: Blanding's Turtles are charachtersized by a very smooth and almost dome-like black carapace that usually covered by tons of yellow specks. The head is black with a distinct yellow chin and neck that makes the Blanding's stand out amongst other turtle species. Adult carapace length is 6-12 inches.

Habitat: Blanding's Turtles commonly inhabit shallow weedy ponds, backwaters, and sloughs where they eat tadpoles, insects, carrion, and crayfish.

This species of turtle is very timid and will run to the best of its ability when encountered, however if it is cornered it immediately retreats into its shell where it will wait until an intruder leaves.

Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)

Identification: Painted Turtles are small turtles with low carapaces that have distinct red markings around the edges. There heads are small and lined with yellow stripes while there legs and neck are lined with red stripes. They commonly are seen in large numbers basking on logs. Adult carpace length is 4-11 inches.

Habitat: Painted Turtles are found in waters that are weedy and shallow. Lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow moving rivers are common habitats.

It is relatively easy to identify Painted Turtles because they are the most common species of turtle in Michigan and large numbers congregate to bask on logs or rocks in the habitats they exist. Even in large numbers these turtles are very shy and will race into the water if they even spot movement from a distance.

Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Identification: Red-ears are charachterized by a flat carapace that is similar to that of the Eastern Painted Turtle, except it its marks by yellow or orange bands on its carapace. The head is green or brown in color and is striped with yellow bands. It gets its name from the red stripe extending backward from its eyes on either side of the head. The plastron (belly) is yellow in color. Adult carapace length is 6-12 inches.

Habitat: Red-eared Sliders inhabit ponds, streams, marshes, and lakes where cover and basking sites are abundant.

Red-ears can be found throughout the state even though they are not a native species, most were probably introduced through pet trade and have now established themselves all over the state.

 Photo by Andrew Hoffman

Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Identification: Spotted Turtles are a relatively small species of turtle. They have smooth black carapaces with scattered yellow spots, giving it its name. The head of the female is often black an orange chin and yellow spots. While the male's head is often black chin is black. Adult carapace length is 3-5 inches.

Habitat: Spotties prefer areas with clear shallow water and muddy bottoms with batches of grass or sedges they can bask on during the day. Areas such as marshes, bogs, bog-like ponds, and flooded fields serve as good habitat.

Spotted Turtles like cooler weather and seem to be almost inactive on really hot summer days. They mate in early spring and den in muskrat lodges during the winter months in Michigan.

Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Identification: Map Turtles are one of the larger turtle species in Michigan and have a brown or olive carapace that has very irregular marking on it. These marking give it the name Map Turtle. The head is very large and black or olive with yellow stripes on it, two large yellow spots are found behind the eyes one either side. Adult carapace length is 6-12 inches.

Habitat: Map Turtles prefer large clear lakes, rivers, large ponds, and oxbows with lots of logs, rocks, and banks for them to bask on during the day.

Maps are usually seen basking on logs and will dart for water if they even see movement. They feed on crayfish, snails, fish, and other small invertebrates.

Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta)

Identification: Wood Turtles are found in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula in Micnigan. They have a brown or drab carapace with markings that give it a wood-like appearance. The head is usally dark and the legs may have yellow or orange markings on them. Adult carpace length is 6-9 inches.

Habitat: Wood Turtles can be found in steams and rivers, but also can be seen foraging in nearby marshes, woods, and meadows during the summer months in Michigan.

Wood Turtles are a unique species in the way they hunt their favorite prey, earthworms. They will stomp the ground and cause works to come to the surface where they can enjoy them as a meal. Woods also eat fish, tadpoles, & carrion.

Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

Identification: Musk Turtles have narrow and high dome-like carapaces with are black or dark brown in color. The head is small with a pointed snout and two yellow lines on either side of the head. The tail is very short and stubby. Adult carapace length 3-5 inches.

Habitat: Musk Turtles prefer to inhabit clear lakes with sandy bottoms.

Also known more commonly as the Stinkpot, Musk Turtles emit a fowl smelling musk from glands near the underside of the carapace. These turtles are rarely seen out in the open and prefer to spedn their time foraging along weedy bottoms.

Photo by Pierson Hill 

Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera spinifera)

Identification: This species of turtles have very flat and round carapace with a ruberry texture. The carapace is often olive or light brown in color with circular markings in males, while females have very dark spots on their carapace. The snout is very narrow, and the feet are webbed. Adult carapace length is 7-20 inches.

Habitat: Softshells inhabit clear ponds, streams, and legs with sparse bottom cover.

The Spiny Softshell Turtle is the second largest species of turtle in the state. Females can acheive carapace lengths of almost 20 inches and weigh 25-30 pounds. They feed on insects, crayfish, tadpoles, and small fish. If disturbed, they will often bury themselves in the mud to avoid confrontation.

Photo by Andrew Hoffman

Eastern Box Turtle (Terapene carolina carolina)

Identification: The Eastern Box Turtle has a large dome-shaped carapace that is usually black or dark brown with orange or yellow patterning on it. Heads and legs are usually black with orange or yellow markings as well. Males are known to have orange eyes. Adult carapace length is 4-8 inches.

Habitat: Box turtles prefer to inhabit woods, meadows, and field with a nearby pond, stream, or creek.

When disturbed, Box Turtles will completely enclose them selves in their shell. This is possible because of their hinging plastron which allows them to fit all of their limbs inside their shell and then completely close the shell.

Michigan's Lizard

 Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus)

Identification: A slender lizard which is black in color and has five yellow or creamed color lines runing this length of its body. Females and juveniles have brilliant blue tails, while males have a gray or drab colored tail. Adult length is 3-5 inches.

Habitat: Skinks prefer to inhabit open and moist woodlands with lots of logs, stumps, and rocks they can use for basking.

If grabbed by a predator, Skinks have the ability to break of their own tail, which wiggles for minutes after its attached. This is used to divert the attention of the predator, and allow the skink to escape. The tail can grow back over its lifetime.