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I was wondering how seriously endangered Eastern Mud Turtles are. I've read they're listed as endangered in a few states, including NY, but not federally protected. I know of a cruelty bust in PA where some were confiscated and I was wondering if this should be brought to the attention of proper authorities.

Thanks,
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
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Eastern mud turtles endangered? Maybe in some areas due to habitat loss. But I would be very surprised to learn they are really threatened in any state.

I did a little bit of internet research and found this NY Dept of Environmental Conservation website:

www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/mutufs.html

According to the site, they're not federally listed but are a NY state Endangered Species. In fact they're the rarest turtle species in the entire state.

A little more research turned up a couple other states where they were listed as endangered or threatened. I wasn't sure if they're considered endangered throughout most of their range or just a couple odd states.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
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www.forgottenfriend.org

According to that study, the eastern mud turtle just barely enters the state even though it is a common turtle to the south.
So it is not actually endangered, but rather uncommonly found because it's natural range just makes it into that state.
It would be like saying that the Mississippi mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis, is the most 'endangered' turtle in Florida because it has only been found in one county in the absolute most western part of the panhandle. But it is a very common and familiar turtle just a bit further west. So it would really be misleading to list it as 'endangered'.

thanks that's what i was wondering, if the turtle was terribly common in other states. i had a feeling it might have only been "rare" in the north because it was more common in the south, but I couldn't find any state info for it from the south.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

The eastern painted turtle is another common turtle that has been found in only a very limited area in Florida. It was found years ago in Duval County on the Georgia/Florida line but has been very rarely if ever, seen since. But just to the north it's range really begins and it is not rare at all.
If taken out of context, one could make the argument that painted turtles are extremely endangered in Florida.

Not to minimize their species status, but in New York, they are at the exteme of their range.

you are right about them being at the extreme of their range. for some reason the first sites i found about eastern mud turtles were all the "endangered" states at the end of their range. thanks everyone for your feedback
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

These turtles were once quite common in their range within NY State. They are not common here now because of habitat destruction. Just because an area is at the limit of their range does not mean they are not common in that area.

Mud Turtles are listed as endangered not because there were few here to begin with but because their population has plumetted within NY. Therefor, IN NY STATE they are considered an endangered species BUT ONLY IN REFERENCE TO NY STATE.

Currently not even regulated in MD. Very easy to place for adoption, though, if help is needed in that regard.

Katrina