I found a turtle but cant seem to identify it.

Question
QUESTION: Today I found a baby turtle and I brought it home but I cant identify it. I don't know what it eats and I don't think it will eat leaves or grass. It's back legs are webbed and its front have claws like a snapping turtle but it looks nothing like a snapping turtle. I have a picture of it from above. The link for it is www.MyTurtle333.piczo.com

ANSWER: Hello Gabriel,

I'm not entirely sure, my first guess was that it was a Emydoidea blandingii (Blandings turtle). but since your turtle looks a lot more greener - It's also possible that it's a Clemmys insculpta (Or a wood turtle).

The diet of the wood turtle is usually earthworms, grass, algae, insects, wild violets, and certain species of mosses and mushrooms.
That's also the usual diet for the blandings turtle, as well.


Best wishes
Sara



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, I do think it is a Blandings turtle after looking at some pictures of hatchlings. Is the Emydoidea blandingii a water turtle? And what kind of grasses does it eat? Is it able to eat lawn grass? And sorry for so many questions, but when eating insects, is it able to eat small things like fruit flys and ants?

Answer
Hello Gabriel,

Yes, the Blandingii is a water turtle, usually living around shallow weedy ponds, marshes and swamps.

For the food: Sure you can feed it lawn grass (Clover, bermuda grass and hay is good too).
It's also possible to feed it fruit flys and ants, but since it doesn't contain much food, earthworms, silkworms and snails are the recommended food.   

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Best wishes
Sara