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The wood turtle is listed as vulnerable on the 2004 IUCN Redlist and is protected from trade by Appendix II of CITES. The wood turtle is native to Minnesota and most of the northeastern
United States as well as parts of Canada. It was once widely distributed
in the eastern part of Minnesota. Now it is limited to isolated
populations in most eastern border counties, with a few records
occurring just to the west. It is rare in Minnesota and is listed
as a threatened species.
The wood turtle is listed as endangered or threatened in almost
every state and province where it exists. Scientists say it is
rapidly disappearing from many areas. Before protective laws were
in place, hundreds of wood turtles were taken from the wild each
fall and sold to biological supply houses or into the pet trade.
One collector recalls taking over 100 from one stream bank in
1972. Today, no wood turtles are found there.
This is a serious problem because it takes a long time for wood
turtles to grow up - about 20 years. When a female does lay eggs,
seven out of 10 are eaten by predators. Of the few that hatch,
most are eaten before their first birthdays. Wood turtles also
get hit by cars and boats or taken home illegally as pets.
One of the most limiting factors in this species' distribution
is its habitat preference. Clear streams, rivers and woodland
ponds near forest are used by wood turtles, and the continued
destruction of such habitat is seriously threatening these turtles.
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