BOG TURTLE

One of the biggest threats to Bog Turtles is the illegal pet trade. In the late 20th century, capturing Bog Turtles was legal. Due to their small size and distinctive orange spots, Bog Turtles were a big hit with pet owners. This meant that when it became illegal to collect the turtles from the wild, the demand didn’t go away, giving rise to a black market (Harding, 2004). Bog Turtles have been illegally sold at around $1200 to turtle collectors, and are part of a much larger epidemic. Every day around 28,300 freshwater turtles are traded (Good, 2014). According to the USFWS, in 1997 the US imported 1.8 million live reptiles for $7 million and exported 9.7 million individuals valued at $13.2 million (Walton, 2006).

 

The pet trade, in general, is completely unsustainable and inhumane. 50-75% of turtles die in transit, and an additional 20-45% die within the first 67 weeks of being placed (Walton, 2006). 

​

Although it may be tempting to see these charming reptiles and take one home with you, it is more than likely that the poor Bog Turtle would not survive under human care.

 

Additionally, if one person takes a turtle, then someone else will too, and it leads to a slippery slope that will lead to the destruction of the entire species.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

One major obstacle that Bog Turtle conservation faces, especially in regards to habitat fragmentation, is big money. In 2017, the US Government spent $299 billion on transportation infrastructure (Congressional Budget Office, 2018). To compare, the government allotted a meagre $2.8 billion dollars to the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2018 (USFWS, 2018). It is clear where the country’s current priorities are, so it will take motivated and vocal citizens to make the changes necessary to save this turtle.