October 27, 2024
... wood turtles could soon be threatened in the state due to land use change ... the state’s Fish & Wildlife Department is watching the species closely before more serious intervention is required. The wood turtle ... is known for the striking orange coloring on its neck and the inside of its legs, creating a unique, easily recognizable pattern. This pattern has also resulted in a growing demand for wild-caught turtles on the international black market ... Invasive species, like Japanese knotweed, are a major hazard, because they overrun sand and gravel bars where wood turtles would typically lay eggs ... , repeated flooding in Vermont has caused the eggs to drown, and since the species has low reproductive rates, that can severely impact local populations ... Due to the longevity of wood turtles — some may surpass 80 years old, as well as their low reproductive rates and slow maturation, their populations are sensitive to any threat that kills adults or removes them from the population ... Federal programs in the U.S. Farm Bill offer financial assistance to landowners and farmers who establish riparian buffers.
