Observations of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) Nesting Sites on High Rocky Outcrops near the Northern Extent of their Range

Sarah B. Woods*

*Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, Sudbury, ON P3C 5E1, Canada.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 31, Special Issue 12: E103–E108

First published early online: 3 August 2024

Abstract
While conducting research on urban ecology of turtles, I recorded probable nesting by Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding’s Turtle) on high rocky outcrops on the Canadian Shield in Greater Sudbury, ON, Canada. While the use of rocky outcrops for nesting by this species has been well-documented, the elevation of nesting sites relative to wetland of origin are under-reported. Here I report on 2 nest sites within an anthropogenically impacted landscape, 44 m (144 ft) and 50 m (164 ft) in elevation above the wetland of origin. I also report on an instance of a depredated nesting female.

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