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Turtle Identification

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CHICKEN TURTLE, Deirochelys reticularia

Chicken turtles are found in quiet, heavily vegetated ditches and ponds where they like to bask. These turtles will travel long distances on land to reach a new water source. During the trip, they may burrow into dirt or leaf litter to stay moist. Chicken Turtles are small (5 - 7 inch), have a very long neck and a narrow head. They do not have a yellow blotch or red stripe on the head. They feed on worms, crustaceans, and insects.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 72

COMMON MUSK TURTLE (STINKPOT), Sternotherus odoratus

Common Musk Turtles can be found in any still or slow moving water source. These are small turtles, which seldom exceed 4 1/5 inches in length. A common Musk can be distinguished by the facial stripes and a very narrow shell on the underside. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 83

COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE, Chelydra serpentina

This turtle has a range covering the Eastern USA. They get up to 18" shell length and can weigh as much as 45 lbs. They are more aggressive than the Alligator Snapper and have a much longer reach.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 62

EASTERN MUD TURTLE, Kinosternon subrubrum

Eastern Mud Turtles are found throughout Texas but are somewhat rare in the eastern-third of the state. These are aquatic turtles which like to bask but also routinely leave the water and travel great distances to reach other water sources and can be found burrowed below ground debris along the way. Water sources include ponds, lakes, ditches, and marshes. Reaching a size of 4 to 6 inches, it is named for the yellow colored areas found on its throat, head and on the sides of its neck. They have small barbels on the chin and underside of neck. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans and insects.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 64

MIDLAND SMOOTH SOFTSHELL TURTLE, Apalone mutica

Midland Smooth Softshells are found in moderately fast moving rivers with abundant sandbars where they often bury themselves with just their snout and eyes above the surface of the water. These are the smallest of the softshell turtles in Texas. Females can grow to be over 12 inches in length while males are between 4 to 6 inches. Midland Smooth Softshells do not have a hard shell but they are covered with a thick smooth skin. They are capable of swimming after and catching fish. These are shy turtles, which will quickly disappear if disturbed. If handled, these turtles will scratch and bite.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 63

MISSISSIPPI MAP TURTLE, Graptemys versa

Mississippi Map Turtles inhabit a wide range of rivers, heavily vegetated lakes, large ponds, and streams. Females can reach a length of 10 inches while the males are half this size. They have a black keel on their back and a yellow crescent shaped blotch behind the eye. This is a strong swimmer who likes to bask but will quickly dive into the water when approached. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion and vegetation.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 61

MISSISSIPPI MUD TURTLE, Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis

Mississippi Mud Turtles are found in permanent bodies of water but also travel far distances. These turtles seldom exceed 4 inches in length with the males being larger than the females. Mississippi Mud Turtles can be distinguished from the other mud and musk turtles by the facial stripes and larger shell on the underside. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 43

ORNATE BOX TURTLE, Terrapene ornata ornata

Ornate Box Turtles are found in semi-arid and arid grasslands and open brush where they often burrow. Adults rarely exceed 5 inches in length. These turtles are very similar to the Three-toed Box turtles in appearance. The distinguishing character on the Ornate Box Turtles are 5 - 9 yellow radiating lines on the main scutes on the top of the shell.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 50

RAZORBACK MUSK TURTLE, Sternotherus carinatus

Razorback Musks are found in slow-moving rivers and streams and associated swamps or marshes where they can be found basking. Adults grow to be from 5 to 6 inches in length. A high sharply keeled shell defines these turtles. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 50

RED-EARED SLIDER, Trachemys scripta elegans

Red-eared Sliders range across all of Texas except for the far-western region. They are easily identified by the red stripe found just behind the eye. Females can grow to be over 1 foot in length but males are smaller. These turtles are aquatic and feed mostly on plants as adults. While they very seldom venture out on land, they can frequently be seen basking on logs in the sunshine.

 

Added: Mon Sep 11 2006
Views: 47


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