The painted turtle inhabits lakes in southeastern Wisconsin.
Of the various types of turtles that inhabit Wisconsin, four are found in the southeastern portion of the state, according to the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne website. Many of these are aquatic species, with some inhabiting the state's lakes. The common snapping turtle is the largest of these species, with various smaller turtles calling the lakes of southeastern Wisconsin home.
Blanding's Turtle
The native distribution of the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is the upper Midwest and Great Lakes states, with southeastern Wisconsin well within this range. The Blanding's turtle will live in the shallows of a lake, but the reptile typically will travel overland when necessary to locate suitable living conditions in other wetlands. It looks for clean water with adequate vegetation with a soft bottom. The species eats a variety of creatures, including crayfish. Blanding's turtles have a telltale yellow chin and throat and grow as long as 8 inches. Loss of wetland habitat has led this species onto the Threatened Species List in Wisconsin, according to the Indiana University-Purdue University site.
Stinkpot
The stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus), or common musk turtle, takes its name from a foul odor it sometimes emits from scent glands. It inhabits lakes in extreme southeastern Wisconsin, never straying far from the water. The stinkpot is a small reptile, growing to a length of 5 inches. They will plow their way through the vegetation growing in the shallows, trying to find insects, snails and leeches to devour. The stinkpot can climb up as high as six feet on a tree to bask in the sun. The species stays equally active during the day and night.
Painted Turtle
Two subspecies of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are present in Wisconsin, with the western painted turtle found throughout the state and the midland painted turtle inhabiting east and southeastern Wisconsin. These turtles, growing no larger than 9 or 10 inches, will live in lake shallows. The most widespread type of North American turtle, the painted turtle has a series of yellow and red stripes on its neck, tail and legs, notes the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians." Painted turtles will eat whatever vegetation and animals they can find. This turtle will bask in large groups in the sun and is quite tolerant of cold conditions.
Map Turtles
The female map turtle (Graptemys geographica) is larger than the male by about 4 inches on average, sometimes growing to10 inches. Map turtles in Wisconsin appear in lakes, rivers, ponds and other wetlands in the southern and western regions. The female map turtle has jaws powerful enough to break apart freshwater clams and big snails. The males and the young settle for a diet of bugs, crayfish and smaller species of mollusks. Map turtles often bask while stacked one atop the other on logs and rocks near the water.
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