Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)

Short answers

Wood turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aqua-terrarium or paludarium with a land section and shallow water, from 120×60 cm per animal, water 10–20 cm deep; keeping them outdoors in summer is ideal.

Wood turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot 28–32 °C (does not like it hot), at night 15–18 °C.

Wood turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Wood turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 40–60+ years (up to ~58 in captivity, 40–80 in the wild).

Wood turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C

Night temperature

15–18 °C

Basking spot

28–32 °C (does not like it hot)

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium or paludarium with a land section and shallow water, from 120×60 cm per animal, water 10–20 cm deep; keeping them outdoors in summer is ideal

Substrate

Land section: soil, leaf litter and moss; water section: sand or fine gravel

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: earthworms, snails, insects, fish as well as wild herbs, windfall fruit, berries and fungi

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

16–20 cm shell length

Life expectancy

40–60+ years (up to ~58 in captivity, 40–80 in the wild)

Origin

North-eastern North America (the north-eastern USA, south-eastern Canada)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B; IUCN "Endangered". Registration plus proof of origin with the local nature conservation authority

Brumation

Yes – a winter rest or brumation of ~3–4 months at 4–10 °C; cold winters benefit health and reproduction

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. The males are territorial and aggressive, towards the females too (bite injuries, constant courtship); never two males. A group only in a very large outdoor enclosure with a surplus of females

Notes

Semi-aquatic; it tolerates no heat or dryness (it overheats quickly). Common mistakes: too warm, too dry, water too deep. Wild populations are declining sharply – captive-bred animals with papers only.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) – Expert
• Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) – Intermediate
• Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) – Intermediate
• European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) – Intermediate
• Ligurian pond turtle (Emys orbicularis galloitalica) – Intermediate
• Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) – Intermediate
• Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) – Intermediate
• Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium or paludarium with a land section and shallow water, from 120×60 cm per animal, water 10–20 cm deep; keeping them outdoors in summer is ideal), substrate (Land section: soil, leaf litter and moss; water section: sand or fine gravel), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.