Description Bog turtle

an adult specimen

the bog turtle smallest species of turtle in north america. adults weigh approximately 110 grams (3.9 oz) when grown. not have prominent snout. head dark brown black; however, has bright yellow, orange, or red spot on each side of neck. spot forked, facing posteriorly. bog turtle has dark skin color orange-red wash on inside of legs of individuals. carapace domed , rectangular in shape, , tends narrower toward head , wider toward tail. carapace has identifiable rings on rough scales or scutes. scutes may have radiating arrangement of lines. in older individuals, , burrow in coarse substrates, shell may smooth. although black, chestnut sunburst pattern in each scute present on carapace. belly of shell, plastron, dark brown black color light marks present.

the spotted turtle , painted turtle similar in appearance bog turtle. bog turtle distinguishable other species of turtle distinctively colored blotch on neck. major difference between , spotted turtle bog turtle has no coloration on upper shell, unlike latter species.

mature male bog turtles have average length of 9.4 centimeters (3.7 in) while average female length 8.9 centimeters (3.5 in) (straight carapace measurement). males have larger average body size females, facilitate males during male–male interactions during mate selection. female has wider , higher shell male, male s head squared , larger female s of same age. plastron of male looks concave while female s flat. male s tail longer , thicker female s. cloaca further towards end of tail of male bog turtle, while female s cloaca positioned inside plastron. juveniles difficult sex.