Spotted Turtle
Chlemmys guttata

This secretive, small (less than 5 inches) turtle is easily distinguished by the bright yellow or orange spots on its smooth black carapace. The head and neck may be sprinkled with additional yellow or orange spots. The spotted turtle occupies shallow wetlands and slow-moving streams with soft substrates and aquatic vegetation in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina and Georgia. The spotted turtle is most active in the spring. Males have a thickened tail, brown eyes, tan chin, and a concave plastron. Females have a yellow chin and orange eyes. The nesting season occurs from May to July, but varies throughout the species' range. The spotted turtle feeds primarily on plants and invertebrates. This speices is generally uncommon and is protected in our region.