e-Mail
Games
Areacodes
Chat
Find a Business or PersonTurtle Identification
RAZORBACK MUSK TURTLE, Sternotherus carinatusRazorback 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. |
|
|
RED-EARED SLIDER, Trachemys scripta elegansRed-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. |
|
|
TEXAS MAP TURTLE, Graptemys versaTexas Map Turtles are only found in the Colorado River drainage on the Edwards Plateau. This is a smaller map turtle with females only attaining a length of 7 1/2 inches. The keel on this map turtle is not black and there is a J-shaped head marking. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion, and vegetation. |
|
|
TEXAS RIVER COOTER, Pseudemys texanaThis basking turtle can be found in slow-moving rivers and permanent bodies of water. Females can grow to be 16 inches in length with the males attaining 9 inches. The rear edge of the top shell is serrated. They do not have a keel and do not have a red stripe on the head. Texas River Cooters are shy and quickly dive into the water when disturbed. |
|
|
TEXAS SPINY SOFTSHELL TURTLES, Apalone spinifera guadalupensis and pallidusTexas Spiny Softshell Turtles are primarily found in rivers but they can also be found in lakes and ponds. Females can occasionally grow to be 16 inches in length. The males are half the size of the females. These softshells are covered with a sandpaper-like skin and have anterior spines. 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. |
|
|
THREE-TOED BOX TURTLE, Terrapene carolinaThese terrestrial turtles are found in open woodland, marshes and other damp areas where they commonly burrow. They can be found soaking in shallow water but are not good swimmers and will become distressed if forced into deeper water. Males are larger growing to 6 1/4 inches in length. Females grow to 4 - 5 inches. These high-domed turtles have a hinge on the underside of their shell that allows them to "close" their shell. While the shell is generally brown, the face and forelimbs may be yellow to orange to red. These land turtles feed on insects and carrion becoming more vegetarian as they age. |
|
|
