Save the Blanding's Turtle

“Seek & Find”

e h t e v a S

(See pages 6 & 7)

e l t r u T s B la n d i n g ’

Adopt-a-Turtle (See page 11)

Hello!

This activity book is designed to get children actively involved in conservation efforts to protect local turtle populations.

Blanding’s turtles are listed as endangered in Illinois. Each puzzle is designed to provide an understanding of issues that this species currently faces. For example, “Safe Crossing” on pages 4 and 5 lets children navigate the dangers that female turtles face as they migrate from wetlands to higher, sandy soils where they dig nests and lay eggs.

We hope that children enjoy the activities in this book, while learning how they can help us save the Blanding’s turtle.

How many different ways to help turtles can you find in this book?

—Lake County Forest Preserves

Look for the on each page, a symbol of how we can all help the land here in Lake County.

2

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

2

1

Blanding's turtles have a bright yellow chin and throat. They can live up to 80 years in the wild.

blue

4

5

yellow

green

3

light brown dark brown

5

5

5 5

5

5

1

1

3 4 2

3

3 3

3

3 3

3

3

3

3

3 3

4

3

3

3

3 4

3

3 3

3

3

2

1

3 1 2

2 Save the Blanding’s Turtle

3

Safe Crossing

Find a path to the sand for this mama turtle. Get her safely to dry land where she can dig a nest and lay eggs. Keep her on the grass and off the roads.

4

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

ave their le s e tl r tu , g in Each spr ggs on e y la to r te a w homes in the s roads s o r c n e ft o s e tl r dry land. Tu by turtles a b s A . ip tr is during th nd fall, a r e m m u s e th hatch later in e water. th to k c a b t h ig they head r ing near iv r d n e h w n o Use cauti streams. d n a s e k la , s d n o p

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

5

Seek & Find

Find these objects hidden in the pond scene.

butterfly mitten toothbrush magnifying glass

paintbrush pencil

cookie

carrot

6

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

Watching Them Grow We search for Blanding's turtles.

They barely make a sound.

But with special equipment They can be found.

Shhhh—listen. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

7

Let's Help!

How are these pictures the same?

How are they different?

1.

2.

1. Turtles need water. Reduce use where possible.

2. Check for turtles under your car before driving away.

8

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

3.

4.

3. Join a restoration workday. Help us improve turtle habitat.

4. Keep turtle predators away with a tidy yard. Unnatural foods harm wildlife.

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

9

Safe at Home

Whose home?

Who am I?

Plants and animals have needs that only certain homes can provide.

Match these Lake County animals to the homes where they can live happily with everything they need.

Answers: 1 and E—Humans build homes to stay warm and dry.

2 and D—Baby birds hop around as they learn to fly.

3 and B—Crayfish dig muddy homes, called turrets.

4 and F—Beavers live in lodges that they build near water.

5 and C—Spiders weave different types of webs.

6 and A—Baby turtles head to water as soon as they hatch.

10

Save the Blanding’s Turtle

1

A

2

B

3

C

4

D

5

E

6

F

Adopt-a-Turtle

www.LCFPD.org/Adopt-a-Turtle

Become a Turtle Champion! Any amount will support the work of the Lake County Forest Preserves to protect Blanding's turtles.

Donors at the "champion" level get to choose a name for their turtle.

Photo Š Callie Klatt

11

“Adopt-a-Turtle� blue light brown

dark brown

(See page 11)

yellow

green

Look for these pictures inside the book.

5

Answers: (Left to right) pages 7, 3, 9 and 10

5

5 5

5

5

1

1

3 4 2

3

3 3

3

3 3

3

3

3

3

3 3

4

3

3

3

3 4 2 2

3

3 3

1

3 3 1 2

How3 many different ways to help turtles can you find in this book?