Wood Turtle — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Wood Turtle — origin: Northeastern North America (eastern Canada and the northeastern United States), along forest waterways and streams. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed under CITES Appendix II and Annex B of the EU Regulation, classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN. Its keeping is regulated and taking from the wild is illegal in many jurisdictions and constitutes a major threat to the species; favour exclusively captive-bred individuals with legal traceability. A NON-venomous species..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min12 °C

Cool side18–22 °C

Warm side24–27 °C

Basking spot28–32 °C

A cold-climate species: absolutely avoid overheating, which is more dangerous than cold. A basking spot ~28-32°C within a generally cool to temperate environment. A winter brumation (rest at ~4-10°C, often submerged in mud) is necessary for the annual cycle and for reproduction; only to be undertaken on a healthy animal.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 50 cm

Semi-aquatic enclosure / paludarium: a large terrestrial part (the majority) combined with a shallow water zone. A secure outdoor enclosure is ideal in a temperate climate.

Minimum dimensions for a single adult; bigger is always better, especially outdoors. An excellent climber and escape artist: smooth, high walls with no foothold, and buried walls in an outdoor enclosure to prevent digging out. Provide hides, plants, leaf litter and a basking zone. Avoid mixing several individuals (stress, seasonal aggression).

Humidity

60–80 %

A riparian, humidity-loving species; the terrestrial part kept moist without being waterlogged, with permanent access to water.

Substrate

Topsoil / garden soil without fertiliser or pesticideLeaf litterSphagnum / mossBark mulch (cypress type)

The terrestrial part in a loose, moist substrate allowing it to dig and hide; the aquatic zone bare or with fine gravel that is easy to clean.

UVB

Optional

UVB essential (a diurnal basker) for the synthesis of vitamin D3, bone and shell strength. A 5.0-6% type UVB tube in a terrarium (replaced every 6-12 months), or a more powerful source over a large volume; outdoors, exposure to direct unfiltered sunlight is ideal.

Water source

Always available

Clean, shallow water, preferably flowing and well oxygenated (a stream species); filtration recommended if the water is stagnant. The water zone must allow full immersion while offering an easy exit onto dry land. Frequent renewal: these turtles readily defecate in the water.

Origin

Emydidae

Northeastern North America (eastern Canada and the northeastern United States), along forest waterways and streams. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed under CITES Appendix II and Annex B of the EU Regulation, classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN. Its keeping is regulated and taking from the wild is illegal in many jurisdictions and constitutes a major threat to the species; favour exclusively captive-bred individuals with legal traceability. A NON-venomous species.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Earthworms, slugs, snails, insects, carrion; berries (strawberries, blueberries), mushrooms, plants and young shoots.

A varied diet, mostly animal-based in the young, more plant-based and frugivorous in the adult. It actively forages for food on land during summer. Supplement with calcium (with D3 if UVB is limited); avoid excess protein and sugary fruit.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 4–12 eggs/young. One clutch per year. Provide a sunlit laying site in a loose substrate (sand/soil). Incubation of about 50 to 70 days; sex is determined genetically (no thermal determinism). Late maturity and a low reproductive rate, which make the species very vulnerable to collection.

Health watch points

Shell rot / ulceration (SCUD, bacterial and fungal infections)
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from UVB or calcium deficiency
Respiratory infections (unsuitable temperature or humidity, overheating)
Internal parasites (common, especially in wild-origin specimens)
Hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency: oedema, eye problems)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes for Wood Turtle.

Hypomelanistic / Pastel calico (misnomer)Dom
Anerythristic (Axanthic)Rec
Albino (T-)Rec

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Wood Turtle × Wood Turtle

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the wood turtle.

Can you legally keep a Wood Turtle without restriction?▾

No: it is a protected species, listed under CITES Appendix II and Annex B of the EU Regulation, and classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Wild-caught specimens, illegal in many jurisdictions, pose a serious threat to the species, so it is essential to acquire a captive-bred individual with full legal traceability.

What is its temperament like?▾

It is a surprisingly docile and endearing turtle that very rarely bites, makes eye contact with its keeper, and eventually learns to recognise them. Intelligent and curious, it explores its surroundings extensively, even famously stomping the ground to bring earthworms to the surface.

How big does it get as an adult?▾

It measures between 16 and 24 cm in carapace length, recognisable by its rough, sculpted shell, with pyramidal scutes marked by concentric rings reminiscent of carved wood. The skin of the neck and legs often takes on orange, red or yellow tones.

What kind of enclosure does it need?▾

It is a semi-aquatic species: provide a large terrestrial area combined with a shallow water zone, with a minimum footprint of 120 x 60 x 50 cm for an adult; a secure outdoor enclosure is ideal in a temperate climate. It is an excellent climber and a formidable escape artist, so walls must be smooth, tall and free of footholds, and buried outdoors to prevent digging out.

What temperatures should be maintained, and does it need a strong basking spot?▾

No, overheating must absolutely be avoided: this is a cold-climate species for which excessive heat is more dangerous than cold. A moderate basking spot of 28 to 32°C is enough, within an overall cool setup (18-22°C on the cool side, 24-27°C on the warm side), with nights that can drop as low as 12°C.

Does it need to hibernate?▾

Yes, a winter brumation is necessary for its annual cycle and reproduction, at around 4 to 10°C, often submerged in mud. It should only be undertaken with a healthy animal.

What water quality and humidity level should be maintained?▾

The water must be clean, shallow and preferably flowing and well oxygenated, as in its natural stream habitat; filtration is recommended if it remains stagnant, since these turtles readily defecate in it. On land, ambient humidity should sit between 60 and 80%, with the terrestrial area kept moist without being waterlogged.

What does a Wood Turtle eat?▾

Its diet is omnivorous and changes with age: rather carnivorous as a juvenile (earthworms, slugs, snails, insects, carrion), it becomes more plant-based and frugivorous as an adult (berries such as strawberries and blueberries, mushrooms, young shoots). It actively forages on the ground during summer.

Is UVB essential?▾

Yes, as a keen diurnal basker, it needs a suitable UVB tube (5.0-6% type, replaced every 6 to 12 months) for vitamin D3 synthesis and shell strength, unless it has direct access to outdoor sunlight.

How long does it live?▾

It is one of the longest-lived turtles, reaching 40 to 60 years and often more with well-managed captivity, while also tolerating cold climates remarkably well.

What are the main health issues to be aware of?▾

Shell rot or ulceration (SCUD) and metabolic bone disease are the most common, as are respiratory infections caused by overheating. Internal parasites mainly affect wild-caught specimens, and vitamin A deficiency can cause oedema and eye disorders.

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