Although it basks along rivers in spring and fall, they spend most of their summer on land. They are the most terrestrial of Minnesota's turtles, but they do not venture very far from the river. They are diurnal and spend their days wandering about searching for food. I have found wood turtles in northeastern Minnesota in shallow excavations in the sand at the base of pine trees under thin thickets. The thickets provided some shade, but also allowed their carapaces to be dappled with sunlight.
Courtship entails the pair swinging their heads from side to side as they approach one another.
Food Wood turtles are omnivorous consuming more plant material than perhaps any other Minnesota turtle. Aside from the Blanding's turtle, the wood turtle is the only Minnesota chelonian that can swallow its food on land. This makes it accessible to many kinds of plants not eaten by other Minnesota herpetofauna. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, dandelions, and many other plants are eaten. Earthworms, insects, mollusks, and carrion comprises the carnivorous portion of their diet.