It can navigate mazes about as well as a lab rat. For a reptile to compete that well intellectually against a mammal, even a lowly rat, is pretty amazing. It's very easygoing. It won't bite a human even if you pick it up. But it's protected in just about every state and province where it exists.
Scientists say it is rapidly disappearing from many areas.
One scientist, who studies wood turtles along 30 miles of river in northern Michigan, tagged 400 in 1969. In 1988, poachers invaded the area and stole more than half the turtles, probably to sell as pets. Where there were once 20-25 nesting females, there are now only five to 10. It takes a long time for wood turtle to grow up - about 20 years. When a female does lay eggs, seven out of 10 are eaten by raccoons and other predators.