The animal on the cover of bash Cookbook is a wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) and is named so because its shell looks like it was carved from wood. The wood turtle lives in forests and is very common in North America, particularly in Nova Scotia through to the Great Lakes region. The wood turtle is an omnivorous and lazy eater; it will eat whatever crosses its path, including plants, worms, and slugs (a favorite). But this isn't to say wood turtles are slow--in fact, they can be quite agile and quick to learn. Some researchers have seen wood turtles stamping on the ground, which mimics the sound of raindrops, to lure worms out to their certain death.

Wood turtles are also threatened by human expansion into their territories. They nest on the sandy banks of rivers, streams, and ponds, which are prone to erosion, damming, and use by outdoor enthusiasts. Roadside fatalities, toxic pollution, and the pet trade have also taken a toll on the wood turtle population, so much so that in many states and provinces, they are considered a threatened species.