Endangered Species

Aside from the two box turtle species, 12 species of turtles have been documented at turtle races, including a number of endangered and otherwise protected species.

The rare Blanding’s Turtle, a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), has been seen at races in Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana and Missouri.

The Wood Turtle, also an ESA candidate species, has been spotted at in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and Virginia.

The Spotted Turtle, another ESA candidate, has been used at a race in Pennsylvania, while the Gopher Tortoise, which is Federally threatened in parts of its range and state protected in the remainder, was observed at a races in Georgia and Mississippi.

The Ornate Box Turtle has shown up with frequency at races in Illinois, where it is a state threatened species, and on occasion in Arkansas, where it is a species of special concern. Eastern Box Turtles are sometimes used in spite of protected status at races in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan.

The Pearl River Map Turtle, which will soon be listed under the Endangered Species Act, has shown up at a Mississippi race.