Blanding's turtle, endangered in many areas, has found a happy home in Sand Hills

I had a reply about beetles today. I got an email that somebody missed my nature posts.

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By Blake Ursch / World-Herald staff writer Jul 30, 2017 Updated 4 hrs ago

VALENTINE, Neb. — The young turtle smiled, though he was, perhaps, having a rough day.

Maybe he thought he was being harassed by a strange two-legged giant, who raised a big finger to count the five or six growth rings on the turtle’s underbelly. The giant pointed to the turtle’s bright yellow throat and mouth, always curled upward in a permanent grin.

It was likely an experience the turtle wasn’t used to. So when the giant gently placed him on the ground, no one could blame the turtle for attempting a daring — and surprisingly speedy — escape.

This was a Blanding’s turtle, explained the giant, Dennis Ferraro, a conservation biologist and herpetologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. And though this particular specimen didn’t seem to be enjoying himself at the moment, life in the Sand Hills is, for the species, pretty darn good.

FULL story, more photos, & video here: http://www.omaha.com/living/blanding-s-turtle-endangered-in-many-areas-has-found-a/article_357008ca-af32-5464-9b29-bb250b2b5f42.html