Identification
The skin of the Western Chicken Turtle is olive to brown and the upper portions
of its long neck are striped with yellow or white. In contrast, the chin and
throat remain un-striped. The pear-shaped tan to olive carapace is flattened
and is marked with a wide net-like pattern of broad, faint yellow or white lines
that are only slightly lighter than the carapace color. The plastron is yellow,
and is sometimes patterned with dark blotches on the seams. This subspecies,
like most Chicken Turtles, also has striped “pants”, i.e., the rump
of the turtle is vertically striped.
Distribution and Status
The natural range of the Western Chicken Turtle extends from extreme southeastern
Missouri, south to the Gulf and west through eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma
and central Arkansas. In the Midwest, the only state in which this species lives
is Missouri, where it is considered State Endangered. (US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map).
Ecology
Chicken Turtles inhabit still waters with a soft bottom that contain plenty
of aquatic vegetation. These include ponds, lakes, ditches, marshes, swamps
and bays. The species is known to frequently wander on land and spends much
time basking.
Threats and Management Issues
Named the Chicken Turtle because of its edible flesh, this turtle is consumed
by humans. Many individuals are also killed on roads each year. As a result
of these threats very few Western Chicken Turtles make it past the age of 15,
although they can live to 25 years.
Resources
Ernst. C. H., J. E. Lovich and R. W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, USA.
General reference guides and websites.
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499