The Fascinating Lives of Wood Turtles - Ecology and Conservation of a Rare Turtle in Vermont

Join The Orianne Society's Northeast Turtle Conservation Coordinator, Kiley Briggs, to learn about Wood Turtles in Vermont, their ecology, threats, and some of the ways land can be managed to help this floodplain species in critical need. Wood Turtles are widespread across the state, but rare in most areas, and even in the few places where they are somewhat common, their secretive nature means that few people have a chance to see one in the wild. Spending half their time on land and half their time in rivers, Wood Turtles behave very differently from any other turtle in the state. And, in the face of a warming climate, Vermont's river valleys may play a critical role in the conservation of this charismatic species throughout its range in the northeast.
Learn about The Orianne Society www.oriannesociety.org/
Sponsored by Vermont Coverts vtcoverts.org/index.html

[@danielfuentes2999]

I really admire your work and serious knowledge on these guys. I and a few other people working with me for the past few years have been captive breeding NAWTS in New England and we found a pretty good population I've found around 15 in about a 50 acre area. This population is found deep in a clean protected woods that likely never even sees more then 3 people a week and no vehicles. For the past 5 years this small community of North American wood turtle keepers have been captive breeding them and we currently have 8 pairs and 36 young turtles ages from a year to almost 5 years. The project aimed from the start to be as hands off as possible In order to teach them to fend for themselves. They eat alot of captive bred - disease free snails, fish (thiminise free) pesticide free blueberries and raspberries (often found in the area), and all this with little to no contact with us whenever possible. Even their enclosures are filled with the microbiology from the valley where the population is. This year when the first 7 juveniles reach 5 they will be released into thier new extremely secluded and healthy environment and because of how secluded they are, humans should have little to no impact hopefully. This project has been very rewarding and expensive but the release day is going to make it all worth it, I really wish I could tell people the place of release but so people could admire them like I do but I know what would happen if I did.

[@angelapatriciamejia8217]

Dont tell anybody

[@user-mu5ny1ks6t]

This was really good. I appreciate your efforts to educate people about this information.

[@RJ-oe7by]

I've only seen 1 on my property along the Ompompanoosuc R. headwaters. It was about 60-ft from the river. They are quick movers. Town: _______; Elevation 825-ft. Time of year: mid-June. Around 2002

[@hvgoldart]

This is really informative and thorough. Thank you!

[@xxchuangtzu6186]

In the future, edit your images so they do not have map identifiers, like the highway name visible in this. Opsec!!

[@noongourfain]

I saved a 20 year old male wood turtle who had been hit by a car.
I took him to a rehabber and she put him back together with crazy glue & gave him some antibiotics.
He was released the following fall.
This was in Sullivan Co. NY.
This particular rehabber said Wood Turtles only live 30 years.
I don't doubt that's wrong.

[@noongourfain]

Released I believe where he came from of course...right by a very busy road and a racetrack/casino.

[@noongourfain]

Please spread the word about Wood Turtles and all turtles and tortoises....
Never take a healthy turtle out of it's environment.
They belong there....
if you see an injured turtle PLEASE find a licensed rehabber and take it there.