Meet Baz, the North American Wood Turtle!
CMTM visitors are well-acquainted with our resident turtles. Henry, the curious and energetic Eastern Painted Turtle, can usually be found basking under his heat lamp or paddling around the Pond Tank. Morty, the Musk Turtle, is elusive by nature and camouflages well with her environment. Keen-eyed visitors will usually find her tucked inside her log or nestled amongst the rocks in the Creek Tank. These charismatic creatures are beloved by children and adults. Guests look forward to greeting them each time they visit the From the Mountains to the Sea Maine Watershed Aquarium.
Did you know that CMTM is the caretaker of several other turtles who live behind the scenes? There’s Sappy (Spotted Turtle), Marie and Arnie (Eastern Box Turtles), and our newest friend, Baz (North American Wood Turtle)!
Baz arrived at CMTM in August 2023 and has been getting acclimated to his new surroundings. At seventeen years of age, he’s had an incredible life for a relatively young Wood Turtle (his species commonly lives into their 70’s!). Read on to learn more about this resilient reptile.
All About Baz
Sequencing Turtle DNA
A sample of Baz's blood was used to sequence the Wood Turtle genome. The information gathered is being used as part of an ongoing environmental DNA project to try and locate new populations of Wood Turtles across Maine.
Baz is a North American Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta). He grew up in the wild around Unity, Maine, and was part of a research population that Unity Environmental University routinely studied to learn more about Wood Turtle range, behavior, and habitat. In 2019, a researcher found Baz in a farm field with serious injuries from farming equipment. The research team brought him to Avian Haven for treatment and rehabilitation. Baz’s hind legs sustained significant damage and were partially amputated as part of his recovery plan. Removing the limbs reduced Baz’s mobility and ability to swim safely. This means he will remain in human care for the remainder of his life.
After finishing his rehabilitation, Baz moved to Unity Environmental University (UEU), where he helped teach students in the Captive Wildlife Management program how to care for turtles. When it came time to find Baz a permanent place to live, UEU reached out to CMTM as a possible relocation site. Today, Baz receives excellent care from CMTM’s dedicated Live Exhibits Team and has begun to settle into his new home. We’re looking forward to providing him with a long, happy life!
Wood Turtle Facts
Wood Turtles are incredibly intelligent! They excel at memory tests, like completing mazes to obtain food, and often outpace mammals performing the same tests.
Wood Turtles are omnivores and eat a varied diet of insects, fruits, mushrooms, small fish, and worms. One of their favorite treats is the humble, slimy slug!
Wood Turtles are “all-terrain” turtles that are comfortable in a variety of habitats, from rushing rivers to the forest floor. They live within a fixed territory and can be reliably found within that area.
Wood Turtles in Maine are considered a “species of greatest conservation need.” Habitat fragmentation, road mortalities, and the pet trade have significantly reduced Wood Turtle populations throughout the state. Baz’s story reminds us that human activity can have significant and lasting consequences for the plants and animals that call Maine home.
More Berries, Please!
Baz loves almost all foods that most Wood Turtles do, but he prefers raspberries and strawberries over blueberries. What is your favorite fruit?
Meet a Turtle
Hoping to meet Baz? You may see him at future Turtle Time and Meet the Turtle programs! These pop-up programs allow visitors to meet and interact with CMTM’s Ambassador Turtles up close while learning more about these important and enigmatic Maine species.
The turtles also travel offsite to classrooms! Learn more about CMTM’s traveling education programs here.
Thank you, friends!
Sincere thanks to our friends at Avian Haven and Unity Environmental University for taking great care of Baz and for connecting with us about making the Museum & Theatre his permanent home.