A road presents a major hazard if its placement requires the turtles to cross it to either lay their eggs or to reach their non-aquatic foraging grounds. Without this stable environment, the future of this and many other species is threatened. Found throughout most of Wisconsin except for the mature hardwood forests region of the northern counties. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available. Males are larger than females, have longer tails, and have concave plastrons.
Hatchlings are dark gray or greenish and have a tail that nearly equals the carapace length.
Rarely found in northern forested regions, fast moving rivers or northern bogs. Forage in water and on land. Will frequently leave water to forage in open, wetland fringe communities. November to April in mud or debris on bottom in deeper water ponds and streams. Mate in early spring and fall, usually in water.