Distribution: The wood turtle range extends from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick south to Rockingham County, Virginia (Buhlmann and Mitchell 1989), and west to southern Quebec, southern Ontario, and New York to northern Michigan, Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa.

Habitat: Always found in close association with water, but the degree of association varies geographically. Harding (1991) reported wood turtles in Michigan and Wisconsin occupying habitats in or near moving water including rivers, streams, and associated shoreline habitats. Aquatic habitats consisting of hard sand or gravel bottoms are preferred over those with soft clay or muck bottoms. Moderate current and clear streams are also preferred. Other habitats include swamps, bogs, wet meadows, upland fields and pastures and the matrix of habitats in between (Ross et al. 1991).

Behavior: The wood turtle is primarily diurnal, but mating and nesting behavior may continue until 2300 hr. At night, turtles rest in sheltered areas of creeks or shallow forms on land (Kaufmann 1992). Turtles are active between 0700 and 1900 hr, with 85 percent of all sightings occurring between 1000 and 1500 hr. Wood turtles are active at air and water temperatures as low as 3 ^oC and 6 ^oC, respectively, but feeding does not start until water temperatures reach 15 ^oC (Ernst 1986). Wood turtles spend the majority of the day basking (primarily in the late morning and afternoon) on sunny days. Emergent logs are used by both sexes in spring and fall, but females prefer terrestrial sites during late June through August (Harding and Bloomer 1979). The wood turtle is primarily active from March through November (e.g. Pennsylvania) or April/May until early October (e.g. Michigan) (Harding 1991). Hibernation (varies geographically) begins in October and November. Most hibernate underwater in deep pools, under overhanging roots or logs along the stream, in beaver lodges, or muskrat burrows (Ernst and McBreen 1991; Farrell and Graham 1991). Hibernating groups of up to 70 turtles have been reported in New Jersey (Bloomer 1978). Individuals may show site fidelity with regards to hibernation (Garber 1989). Tracking studies indicate homing ability (Harding and Bloomer 1979). Aggressive behavior has been observed between males (Kaufmann 1992).

Reproduction: Mating can occur any time during the active season but peaks occur in spring and fall at water temperatures ranging from 10-20 ^oC (Ernst 1986). The nesting season lasts from May to early July depending on geographic location (Ernst and McBreen 1991). Nesting usually occurs in the afternoon and may continue until 2315 hr. Although the nest cavity is usually dug with the hind feet, females in New Jersey sometimes use their forelimbs to excavate (Farrell and Graham 1991). Requirements for nest sites include ample exposure to direct sunlight, well-drained but moist sand or soil substrate not subjected to flooding, and a substrate free of rocks and thick vegetation (Harding and Bloomer 1979). Only one clutch of 4-18 eggs (varies geographically, x = 10.4 in Michigan, 8.5 in New Jersey, 11 in Wisconsin) is laid yearly (Harding and Bloomer 1979; Farrell and Graham 1991; Brooks et al. 1992). Incubation time (laboratory) ranges from 67 days at 25-25.5 ^oC to about 40 days at temperatures above 30 ^oC (Ewert 1979). Gender is not temperature-dependent (Ewert and Nelson 1991). Hatchlings emerge from mid-August to mid-October. No overwintering has been observed (Harding 1991).

Food habits: The species is omnivorous and consumes the green leaves of strawberries in April and May, strawberries and blackberries in June and August (Farrell and Graham 1991), and fungi, invertebrates, and various flowers and fruits (Strang 1983). Other food items include algae, moss, leaves of willows, mollusks, insects, earthworms, tadpoles, possibly the eggs and young of nesting birds, and other turtle eggs (Reid and Nichols 1970, Harding and Bloomer 1979, Ernst and McBreen 1991).

Populations: Wood turtle density estimates for New Jersey range from 9.9 to 11.4 turtles/hectare (Farrell and Graham 1991) and 12.5 turtles/hectare (Harding and Bloomer 1979). Overcollecting and habitat destruction are cited as reasons for declining populations. Wood turtles are especially vulnerable to increased mortality because of slow growth, late maturity, and high natural mortality of eggs and juveniles.