Brown wood turtle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brown wood turtle
Illustration of Rhinoclemmys annulata by G.H. Ford from Gray's original description.
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Rhinoclemmys
Species:	annulata
Synonyms
Geoclemmys annulata Gray, 1860 Clemmys annulata — Strauch, 1862 Rhinoclemys (Callopsis) annulata — Gray, 1863 Chelopus annulatus — Cope, 1865 Rhinoclemmys annulata — Gray, 1870 Chelopus gabbii Cope, 1876 Emys gabbi [sic] Günther, 1885 (ex errore) Nicoria annulata — Boulenger, 1889 Nicoria gabbii — Boulenger, 1889 Geoemyda annulata — Siebenrock, 1909 Geoemyda gabbii — Siebenrock, 1909 Rhinoclemmys gabbii — Allee, 1926 Geoamyda annulata Park, Barden & Williams, 1940 Geoemyda annulaia [sic] Medem, 1958 (ex errore) Geoemyda gabbi — Pritchard, 1967 Callopsis annulata — H.M. Smith, R.B. Smith & Sawin, 1976 Rhinoclemmys angulata [sic] Highfield, 1996 (ex errore)

The brown wood turtle or brown land turtle (Rhinoclemmys annulata) is a type of turtle. It belongs to the family called Geoemydidae. This special turtle lives only in Central America and the northern parts of South America.

What is a Brown Wood Turtle?

The brown wood turtle, R. annulata, is one of nine different species of turtles found in the Rhinoclemmys genus. A genus is a group of closely related species.

Where Do Brown Wood Turtles Live?

You can find the brown wood turtle in several countries. These include Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

How Do Brown Wood Turtles Live?

Scientists are still learning a lot about the brown wood turtle's life. We know a few interesting things about how they live and reproduce.

Reproduction and Young Turtles

Female brown wood turtles usually lay only one or two eggs at a time. These eggs are quite large, about 3.5 by 7 centimeters long. When the baby turtles hatch, they are already fairly big. Their shell length is around 6.3 centimeters.

Daily Life and Diet

The brown wood turtle is a herbivore. This means it eats only plants. Its diet includes different parts of plants, like leaves and various seeds.

These turtles are active during the day. They are most active in the morning. You might also see more of them moving around after heavy rainfall. At night, they like to hide among leaves to stay safe. When it gets hot, they often go into the water to cool down.