Distinguishing between species by examining eggshells is not an accurate method for making species determinations. However, some individuals appear to be random nesters, and are known to exploit newly disturbed sandy soils adjacent to occupied rivers and streams rather quickly. Nesting usually occurs at an elevation of 4 or more feet above normal river stage. Light to moderately sloughing southerly exposed sandy banks with scattered vegetation are preferred. Wood turtles typically do not nest on steep and continuously sloughing sand banks where vegetation cannot become established.
Females produce single clutches annually.
Nesting may take several hours and extend well past dark. The peak nesting period runs from early to late June but may occur into early July. This species has not been documented to overwinter in the nest. They often bask along shorelines in mid-late March in the southern part of Wisconsin and into April farther north. Males and females spend considerable time basking on land but usually stay close to water until temperatures moderate in mid-late spring.