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Located in a tiny park off County Highway 13.
The Hudson Valley has the third highest number of turtles in the WORLD! There are thirteen species in the region, one of which, the Bog Turtle is Federally listed as Threatened.
The bog turtle is North America's smallest turtle, reaching a maximum length of 4.5 inches. It is one of seventeen species of turtles found in New York State, including marine turtles. A bright yellow or orange blotch on each side of its head and neck are a distinctive feature of this species. The body color is dark with an orange-red wash on the inside of the legs of some individuals. The carapace (upper shell) is domed and somewhat rectangular, often with prominent rings on the shell plates (scutes). In some older individuals, or those that burrow frequently in coarse substrates, the shell may become quite smooth and polished. Although generally black, the carapace is sometimes highlighted by a chestnut sunburst pattern in each scute. The plastron (lower shell) is hingeless, with a pattern of cream and black blotches. As with most turtles, the plastron of the male is slightly concave while the female's is flat.
The bog turtle can be found on in the United States (more specifically, the eastern United States). They will inhabit marshy areas such as swamps, marshy meadows, sphagnum bogs and slow-moving streams. Their range includes habitats found anywhere from sea level to over 3,937 feet (1,200 meters) high. The bog turtle (like most reptiles) is active during the warmer parts of the day, although seldom during the hottest part. They emerge from their shelters in the morning and bask in the sun before setting out to look for food. Come October, this animal will retreat into a dense, vegetated area in order to hibernate. They will rest in soft mud that is often located just under a frozen surface and remain there until late March or early April.
The diet of a bog turtle consists primarily of insects (millipedes, beetles, ants, dragonflies and the like). They will, however, also eat a variety of other plants and animals such as berries, seeds, spiders, slugs, snails, earthworms, nesting birds, mice, and even voles. This varied diet means that the bog turtle will forage both on land and underwater. Whenever they feel alarmed, they will quickly dig a burrow in the muddy ground and hide until the danger has passed.
The bog turtle is a critically endangered species. They face numerous threats, with the biggest being the loss of its natural habitat. Even though the animal itself is legally protected, its habitat is not and therefore makes repopulation difficult. Hopefully, something can be done soon to help the bog turtle bounce back from its dangerous position. After all, such a unique reptile deserves to live and prosper for future generations to see.
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Jryy V pna'g syl, lbh xabj!