Life History of Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center’s Blanding’s Turtle

Carpenter Nature Center’s Blanding’s Turtle was adopted by the Nature Center in 1996.  He had been a pet, but his owner was     moving out of state and didn’t want to transport a species of special concern across state lines. His age is unknown. We do know he is a male due to his concave plastron (underside shell).

Carpenter Nature Center’s turtle is a wonderful ambassador, teaching thousands of visitors every year about our natural environment and the diversity of wildlife life found in our region. Our turtle will live a comfortable life with humans, as it is provided with all the food it needs and safety from predators. He may live to be 70-100 years old.

Blanding’s Turtles were classified as a threatened species in Minnesota and Wisconsin. These unique turtles do not breed until they are 14 –20 years old. The Blanding’s Turtles wetland habitats are being destroyed and many turtles killed along roads each year. Like most hatchlings, the young turtle have a low survival rate due to predation. All these factors make this a vulnerable species.

The best things you can do to help Blanding’s Turtles is to report any Blanding’s Turtles you find to your local DNR office, help protect natural wetland habitats and share what you have learned about Blanding’s Turtles with others.

The backwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota support one of the largest populations of Blanding’s Turtles.