Bog Turtle

Glyptemys muhlenbergii — Emydidae

3–4.5 inches

IUCN

Critically Endangered

Federal (US)

Threatened

Virginia

Endangered

VWAP Tier

Tier Ia

Habitat

semi-aquaticwetland

Found in Virginia

Piedmont Blue ridge Valley and ridge

How to identify

Very small — 3 to 4.5 inches, North America's smallest turtle
Distinctive large orange or yellow patch on each side of the neck
Dark brown or black carapace
Isolated bog and wet meadow habitat only

About this species

North America's smallest turtle and one of its most endangered, the bog turtle is a federally threatened species found in a handful of isolated sphagnum bogs and wet meadows in Virginia's mountains and piedmont. They are extremely secretive and rarely seen. If you think you have found a bog turtle, do not disturb it — contact Virginia DWR immediately.

Often confused with

Spotted Turtle

Spotted turtles have yellow spots on their shell and head rather than neck patches; bog turtles are smaller and have a distinct neck blotch

Eastern Mud Turtle

Mud turtles lack the orange neck blotch and have a hinged plastron; bog turtles are typically smaller

Did you know

"Bog turtles are so rare that their known populations in Virginia are individually monitored. Finding one in the wild is considered a significant herpetological event."

SERC rehabilitation notes Federally threatened, state endangered. Do not accept as intake without immediate DWR coordination. Possession is a federal offense.

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.

View Bog Turtle observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced Bog Turtle in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →