Wood Turtle Predators Despite it's shell, the Wood Turtle is
preyed upon by a wide variety of organisms. Adult Wood Turtles
are often encountered with one or more missing limbs. In most
cases, limb mutilations and amputations are due to encounters
with the Wood Turtle's life-long enemy, the Raccoon (Procyon
lotor). In agricultural areas, however, limb loss may be the
result of agricultural mowers. After 15 years of investigation,
one study documented a significantly lower probability of
recapturing Wood Turtles that had at least one missing limb than
those that were intact. So, it seems limb loss can compromise
the survival of certain turtles, at least over the The eggs are
arguably the most vulnerable stage of a Wood Turtle's life. In
some years, skunks and raccoons can destroy up to 100% of
clutches at a given nesting site. One study noted that 15 of 17
nests were destroyed, but that the nests were preyed upon nine
weeks after they were laid. Other egg predators include coyotes
and ravens. The larvae of cer