BASIC INFORMATION:

One of only two North American long necked turtles (Chicken turtles being the other), Blanding's turtles, much like snake necks, use their long necks to swiftly snap up fish and crayfish. They love to bask, learn to come to feedings and can become very personable. Well started juveniles do well in mixed land and water set ups. In outdoor ponds, the cold is not a problem for adults of this northern species, and yet they can be kept in warmer climates, in shaded, deeper water ponds.

Blanding's turtles are omnivorous but will eat mostly protein foods i.e.: Pellets, fish, insects, crustaceans and some plants. In the wild their preferred food is crayfish.

Once very common through out their range, recent years have seen their numbers dwindle, as far too many are hit crossing roads.