Herpwatch McHenry County
Turtles
Common Musk Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
"Common Musk Turtle" by Kory Roberts
Where to Find: Prefer muddy-bottomed lakes, swamps, and streams. Occasionally will emerge to bask on shorelines, even climbing adjacent vegetation to reach higher elevation.
Key Characteristics: Head is marked with two white to yellowish lines, one which passes over the eye from nose to base of neck, and one which passes below the eye from nose to base of neck. Barbels can be found on both the chin and throat. Carapace is dark and lacks any distinguishable markings. Females and males are distinguished by the amount of skin separating scutes of the plastron; males have a larger amount of skin between scutes and have notably larger tails than females. Individuals are small, ranging from 6-13 cm in length. When frightened, will excrete a foul smelling liquid from glands on corners of plastron.
False Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeopraphica
"False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) by Jake Scott
Where to Find: Can usually be found in muddy-bottomed rivers with plenty of locations to bask. Basking sites vary from emergent logs and rocks to steep vegetation.
Key Characteristics: Prominent yellow spot behind eye. Body is marked with prominent stripes, alternating between black and white-yellow. Stripes on lower neck reach the eye. Spines run down the top of carapace scutes from front to back of body. Carapace is dark brown and marked with orange to yellow rings with varying degrees of prominence, being most notable in juveniles. Adults are medium, reaching lengths of 10-25 cm. Females are larger than males, but males have a longer, thick tail.
Blanding's Turtle THREATENED
Emydoidea blandingii
Where to Find: Prefer shallow, calm waters of wetlands, vegetated lakes, and marshes. Also found moving about adjacent land.
Key Characteristics: A bright yellow throat and chin are unique features to this species. Top portion of head and back of neck are black with some yellow specks. Carapace is dark brown to black and usually flecked with yellow spots. Plastron scutes of adults may be entirely black, or contain yellow-outlined black splotches. Medium sized turtle growing to lengths of 13-25 cm.
"Blanding's Turtle (Emdoidea blandingii) by Matt Weldon
Western Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta bellii
Where to Find: While common in a variety of freshwater habitats, individuals prefer quiet waters of lakes, marshes, and ponds where vegetation is weedy.
Key Characteristics: Body color alternates between black and yellow parallel lines. Carapace is light brown and streaked with few small lighter lines. Yellow bars on scutes at bottom of carapace where it meets the plastron (marginal scutes), some red markings present. Plastron is red featuring a black oak leaf shaped pattern streaked with smaller lines and spots. Adults are medium sized and grow to a length of 10-20 cm.
"Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)" by John Clare
Midland Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta marginata
"Chrysemys picta marginata: Midland Painted Turtle" by Todd Pierson
Where to Find: While common in a variety of freshwater habitats, individuals prefer quiet waters of lakes, marshes, and ponds where vegetation is weedy.
Key Characteristics: Body is black with three thick light yellow lines which span from behind the eye, below the eye, and below the corner of the lower jaw, toward the back of the head. These lines turn to red as they move closer to the center of the body. Carapace is dark olive to black with no prominent markings. Marginal scutes feature red markings which resemble dashes or curves. Plastron is reddish-orange and features black markings which remain close to the midplastral seam. Adults are medium sized and grow to be 10-17 cm long.
Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
"Snap Happy ~ Snapping Turtle" by Brody J.
Where to Find: Inhabit a wide range of permanent bodies of fresh water, occasionally entering brackish habitats. Rarely leave water to bask and prefer to remain on the bottom of bodies of water, often burying themselves in mud.
Key Characteristics: Carapace is predominantly smooth and lacks the elevated, pointed scutes of the alligator snapper. Tail is long and features points resembling a saw blade. Body is abundantly covered by protruding growths called tubercles and barbels. The head is large with a hooked upper jaw. Individuals are large, reaching lengths between 25-35 cm. Should be handled with extreme caution and only if necessary. On land, individuals are aggressive and have a powerful bite.
Species Accounts: Illinois Natural History Survey. (2017). INHS Amphibian and Reptile Collection
Illustrations & Species Accounts: Conant, R., & Collins, J. T. (1998). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (3rd ed). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.