What coloration is typical for the wood turtle's plastron underside?
Answer
Vibrant yellow or orange, sometimes with dark blotches
While the upper carapace of the wood turtle ranges from dark brown to black with bright streaks on the edges of the scutes, the plastron, which forms the smooth underside of the turtle, exhibits much brighter coloration. It is typically described as vibrant yellow or orange. Furthermore, there may be dark blotches present near the bridge area where the plastron connects to the carapace. This bright lower coloration provides a stark contrast to the darker, rugged top shell.

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