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By Tyler Dadula, Camille Reyes, & Edward San Jose
The spotted turtle's habitat can be altered by humans, nest predation by raccoons, and pollution. It makes small clutches of eggs which do not have a good chance of hatching, which hinders the ability of increasing spotted turtle populations. This species is also very easily affected from pollution and toxic waste changing their water quality.
About 2000 spotted turtles are left in Canada, with less then 50 reproductive individuals. Their population continues to decline.
The spotted turtle has been listed under the "Endangered Species Act" and the "Species at Risk Act (SARA)". It has also been designated as a specially protected reptile under the "Ontario Fish and Wildlife Act". These acts offer protection to the animal and its habitat. Additionally, permits are now required in Ontario and Quebec to capture this species.
On the food web, the spotted turtle could be considered a primary consumer because it feeds on chlorophyta, which are producers. However, it also eats slugs and millipedes that are primary consumers, making it qualified to also be a secondary consumer. Thus, this species is an omnivore because it feeds on both plants or other producers, and animals. The spotted turtle is then predated by raccoons, which are omnivores and scavengers, and muskrats that are omnivores.
Areas in which the spotted turtle inhabits
3rd Trophic Level
1st Trophic Level
2nd Trophic Level
chlorophyta
raccoon
producer
omnivore/scavenger
tertiary consumer
slugs
herbivore
primary consumer
spotted turtle
omnivore
primary/secondary consumer
muskrat
The spotted turtle inhabits many habitats including swamps, bogs, fens, marshes, woodland streams, wet pastures, brackish streams, ditches, vernal pools, and sedge meadows.
Areas in which the spotted turtle lives must have soft substrate and at least aquatic vegetation.
The best habitat for this species to occupy should include shallow and slow moving waters with soft muddy soil, sledge tussocks, water lilies, sphagnum moss, and cattails.
It usually lives in habitats that contain duckweed which can be used as camouflage.
The spotted turtle avoids living in artificial reservoirs and deep, open water areas.
omnivore
herbivore
tertiary consumer
primary consumer
millipedes
Images courtesy of Google.