Ohio receives $500,000 for rare turtle research to help Blanding's, spotted turtles

Ohio has rare fishers roaming the woods, rare massasauga rattlesnakes and two other venomou s snakes within its borders.

Now the Buckeye State is on the hunt for Ohio's rare turtles.

Ohio is one of two states that secured nearly $500,000 in grant funding to research rare turtles as part of a wildlife conservation project.

Here's what we know.

Ohio receives $500,000 to hunt for Blanding's, spotted turtles

The Ohio and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources will co-lead the project, which will study vulnerable wildlife, including the Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle populations.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service , the grant is part of a greater initiative to identify species that are at risk of being endangered, threatened, or declining. In total, the organization contributed more than $7 million in grant money to programs across the country.

Both the Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle populations saw a significant decline that could potentially put them on the federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service added that research from the project can assist in recovery and conservation methods for the at-risk turtles.

Where are spotted turtles located in Ohio?

In Ohio, Spotted turtles occupy the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States, occurring from the southern tip of Lake Michigan to the St. Lawrence River valley, as well as the upper reaches of the Ohio River system, according to U.S. Army Garrisons .

How big are spotted turtles?

Spotted turtles are small and reach a maximum shell length of 4.5 inches, according to the Akron Zoo . The International Union for Conservation of Nature speculates that spotted turtles have declined more than 50% in the last 25 years due to habitat loss; the animals can't easily adapt to different environments. The Zoo notes that other threats to the species include the pet trade, traffic mortality and climate change.

Where do Blanding's turtles live in Ohio?

Blanding's turtles in Ohio are limited primarily to the northern counties along Lake Erie, according to the ODNR . They inhabit marshy shorelines, inland streams and wet meadows. Although essentially aquatic, the Blanding's turtle often wanders about on land though never far from water.

How big are Blanding's turtles?

The Blanding's turtle, named after the naturalist William Blanding, is a "large but very timid turtle," according to the ODNR. The carapace, the top part of the shell, ranges from 6 to 11 inches long and is usually black with yellowish spots, per Michigan State University .

How can I help endangered species?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided ways to help endangered and threatened species:

• Learn about endangered and threatened species in your area and the threats they face
• Responsibly watch wildlife
• Volunteer for restoration projects and take other actions to protect habitat
• Report marine mammals or sea turtles in distress
• Report wildlife harassment to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement 24-hour hotline: (800) 853-1964
• Never purchase anything made from an endangered or threatened species
• Reduce water consumption
• Reduce the amount of pollution you generate
• Make informed consumer decisions, from seafood to wildlife tours:
  • DolphinSMART – help minimize harassment and feeding of wild dolphins
  • WhaleSENSE – learn about responsible whale watching

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio receives $500,000 for rare turtle research to help Blanding's, spotted turtles