Turtles Flashcards
What is the difference between turtles and tortoises? All testudines in Nova Scotia are what?
Turtles semi-aquatic, tortoises entirely terrestrial.
Turtles.
What are the four land species of turtle in N.S.? When are they active?
Painted, Snapping, Blanding’s, Wood.
Mid-April to mid-October.
Sex determination is dependent on _____, except for the _____ turtle.
Temperature; Wood.
Sexual maturatinon of turtles is often how long?
Late (i.e., over a decade).
What are the three Canadian subspecies of the Eastern Painted Turtle? What is distinct about them?
Eastern: plain yellow plastron.
Midland: yellow plastron with dark central pattern.
Western: yellow and red markings on plastron.
Which turtle is the most widespread in Canada and the U.S.?
Eastern Painted Turtle.
What is the largest freshwater turtle in Canada? What can each sex grow up to in centimetres?
Snapping Turtle.
Males: 47cm
Females: 35cm
Eastern Painted Turtle hatchlings can handle temperatures how low?
-11 degrees C.
What are the distinguishing characteristics of Blanding’s Turtle? Are they good swimmers?
Yellow chin, throat, and spots on shell, and “smile.”
No; walk on bottom of water.
Blanding’s Turtles are active when? When do they bask?
Morning.
Spring.
Wood Turtles are active when?
Diurnal, yet active warm nights.
Male plastrons tend to be _____, whereas female plastrons tend to be _____.
Concave; flat.
What is the average longevity of turtles in the wild versus in captivity?
Wild: 40yrs
Captivity: 58yrs
Are turtles ectothermic or endothermic?
Ectothermic.
Which is the most endangered of all sea turtles?
Atlantic Kemp’s Ridley Turtle.
