The southern bog turtle, North America’s smallest turtle, faces an uncertain future. Native to the mountain bogs of western North Carolina and surrounding states, fewer than 2,000 individuals remain in the wild. This tiny reptile, distinguishable by its yellow or orange facial patches, is on the brink of extinction due to multiple threats that continue to erode its habitat and population.

Population Plunge and Urgent Declines

The southern bog turtle population has plummeted by 50% since 2000, leaving only 14 viable habitats across its range, as reported by Spectrum Local News. Once thriving in over 5,000 acres of mountain bogs, their habitat has shrunk to less than 500 acres in North Carolina alone.

The Center for Biological Diversity highlighted that nearly all remaining sites are in serious decline, emphasizing the critical state of the species.

Habitat Destruction: The Leading Threat

Mountain bogs are essential ecosystems that support not only bog turtles but also a variety of other endangered species. These wetlands are being lost to development and environmental changes, which disrupt the delicate balance of these habitats, according to Spectrum Local News.

Over the past century, 90% of mountain bogs in Southern Appalachia have disappeared, directly correlating with the decline in bog turtle populations, as stated by The Center for Biological Diversity.

Poaching and Illegal Trade: A Growing Menace

Poaching poses a significant threat to the southern bog turtle. These turtles are highly sought after in the illegal pet trade, fetching thousands of dollars on the black market, reports Spectrum Local News. To combat this, biologists have resorted to carving notches into their shells for easier identification, making it harder for poachers to sell them.

As Spectrum Local News reports, the rare turtles represent the fourth largest source of wildlife sold illegally, with demand skyrocketing in Asia over the past decade.

Legal Battles and Conservation Efforts

Efforts to protect the southern bog turtle have led to significant legal actions. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for delaying the listing of the southern bog turtle under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Will Harlan, Southeast director at the Center, stated, “These tiny turtles are on the brink of extinction, and they need federal protection now.”

The lawsuit also includes protections for the roughhead shiner, another critically endangered species, highlighting the broader environmental impact of habitat loss in the southeastern United States.

Conservation Plans and Future Outlook

While the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has already listed the southern bog turtle as a threatened species and published a conservation plan in 2015, federal protections remain pending, as noted by Spectrum Local News.

The USFWS initiated a 12-month review process to decide on the turtle’s status, but delays have hindered timely protection, according to WKRN News.

Bill Shultz, a retired wildlife biologist, advocates for a “threatened” status to allow more flexible conservation measures, such as breeding programs, as reported by Spectrum Local News.

The Broader Ecological Impact

Protecting the southern bog turtle extends beyond saving a single species. The mountain bogs they inhabit are home to unique plants like the mountain sweet pitcher plant and rare salamanders. Preserving these wetlands ensures the survival of a complex web of life that contributes to overall biodiversity, Gabrielle Grater, a conservation biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, told Spectrum Local News.

“Biodiversity is important for lots of reasons, but one of them being that when you start to remove pieces from this web of life, it becomes a weaker and weaker thing,” she added.

The Clock is Ticking

Time is running out for the southern bog turtle. Without immediate federal protection, the species could be lost within a decade. The lawsuit filed by The Center for Biological Diversity aims to accelerate the ESA listing, providing the necessary legal framework to protect and restore bog turtle populations.

“The biologists we’ve talked to are unanimously in support of a bog turtle listing, so the scientific consensus is pretty clear,” Will Harlan told FOX 5 Atlanta.

Protecting this tiny turtle involves safeguarding its fragile habitat, curbing illegal poaching, and ensuring timely legal protections. The survival of the southern bog turtle is not just about preserving a species but maintaining the integrity of the unique ecosystems they inhabit. As the battle for their protection continues, the hope remains that swift and decisive action can turn the tide for these imperiled turtles.

Click below to take action for the southern bog turtle.