06/13/2024
Tiny turtle alert! π¨π’
The bog turtle is the smallest turtle in North American and one of the smallest in the world. The turtle in this photo is a baby, but it will grow to be no longer than 4.5 inches in size as an adult.
This species was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1997 due to habitat loss and illegal collection and trade. Two distinct populations of bog turtles exist, separated by a 250 mile gap in their ranges. The northern population is found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The southern population is found in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
πΈRosie Walunas/USFWS