Wood Turtle

Glyptemys insculpta — Emydidae

5.5–9 inches

IUCN

Endangered

Federal (US)

Species of concern

Virginia

Threatened

VWAP Tier

Tier IIa

Habitat

semi-aquaticterrestrialriparianforest

Found in Virginia

Piedmont Blue ridge Valley and ridge

How to identify

Sculpted, pyramid-shaped scutes give a rough, carved appearance
Orange or red coloring on neck and legs
Brown to gray carapace
Yellow plastron with dark blotches along outer edges
Medium to large size, 5.5–9 inches

About this species

Virginia's wood turtle is a state-threatened species found in the cooler, cleaner rivers and streams of the piedmont and mountain regions. They are highly intelligent for a reptile and split their time between aquatic and terrestrial habitats, foraging in riparian forests and meadows. Their sculpted, pyramid-shaped scutes make them unmistakable.

Often confused with

Eastern Box Turtle

Box turtles have a hinged plastron, higher dome, and are fully terrestrial; wood turtles have sculptured scutes and orange coloring on limbs

Did you know

"Wood turtles have been observed stomping the ground repeatedly to bring earthworms to the surface — a behavior remarkably similar to gull-stomping seen in birds."

SERC rehabilitation notes State threatened. Virginia DWR must be notified if presented as intake. Found only in piedmont and mountain regions — if found in coastal plain, verify ID carefully.

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 Wood Turtle observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

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

Triage guide →