The Wood turtle ( Clemmys insculpta ) has a brownish carapace (top shell) with deep circular growth ridges in each scute. The plastron is yellow with black outer blotches. The head is black and the skin on the neck and under the legs is yellow or orange. The adult wood turtle's carapace length can range from about 6.3 to 9.4 inches (16-24 cm).

They are never far from rivers or streams. They are very aquatic from September to May, but often forages in the woods, swamps and meadows in the summer. They eat on land or in the water. The food they eat includes insects, worms, slugs and various plants and berries.

In June, females deposit 4-18 oval, soft-shelled eggs laid in a cavity dug in a sunny spot. The eggs hatch in about 45-80 days. The hatchlings are brownish, and long tailed. They don't have the orange or yellow color yet.

Wood Turtles are very rare in northern Michigan and aren't to be removed from their habitat. They are threatened by drainage and collecting and are protected by Michigan Law.

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