Lauren Todd – Unknown

Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii).

⚠️ The blanding’s turtle is an endangered species throughout most of its range.

🏞️ Major threats to their populations include habitat fragmentation and destruction as well as nest predation.

🇨🇦 Their population is dwindling in Canada, with estimates as low as only 25,000 adults across Ontario and Quebec.

📉 The number of adult blanding’s turtles has declined by more than 60% over the last three generations (120 years) and road mortality alone will reduce the number of adults by 50% over the next three generations.

🏡 I was very lucky to find this individual in my own backyard!