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CAUTION <br /> <br />BLANDING'S TURTLES <br /> <br />MAY BE ENCOUNTERED <br /> IN THIS AREA <br /> <br />The unique and rare Blanding's turtle has been found in this area. Blanding's turtles are a State <br />Threatened species and are protected under Minnesota Statute 84.095, Protection of Threatened and <br />Endangered Species. Please be careful of turtles on roads and in construction sites. For additional <br />information on turtles, or to report a Blanding's turtle sighting, contact the DNR Nongame Specialist <br />nearest you: Bemidji (218-755-2976); Brainerd (218-828-2228); New UIm (507-359-6033); Rochester <br />(507-280-5070); or St. Paul (651-297-2277). <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION: The Blanding's turtle is a medium to large turtle (5 to 10 inches) with a black or dark blue, dome- <br />shaped shell with muted yellow spots and bars. The bottom of the shell is hinged across the front third, enabling <br />the turtle to pull the front edge of the lower shell firmly against the top shell to provide additional protection when <br />threatened. The head, legs, and tail are dark brown or blue-gray with small dots of light brown or yellow. A <br />distinctive field mark is the bright yellow chin and neck. <br /> <br />Illustration by Don Luce, from Turtles in Minnesota, Natural History Leaflet No. 9, June 1989, James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History <br /> <br /> <br />