Native Turtles In Texas
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Pseudemys texana (Texas Cooter)
Pseudemys texana, known as the Texas Cooter, is a freshwater turtle native only to Texas. It’s a peaceful basking turtle that spends much of its time in rivers and streams, often seen sunning itself on rocks or logs. It’s part of the pond slider family but has its own unique traits and range. Scientific Classification…
Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande Cooter)
Pseudemys gorzugi, also called the Rio Grande Cooter, is a freshwater turtle mostly found in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. It’s known for its colorful shell markings and love for sunbathing on riverbanks. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies: P. gorzugi Common Names Rio Grande CooterWestern River Cooter Identification…
Pseudemys concinna (Eastern River Cooter)
The Eastern River Cooter is a large, freshwater turtle commonly found in rivers and streams across the southeastern United States. It is known for its striking shell patterns and herbivorous diet, often seen basking on logs or rocks near water. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies: Pseudemys concinna Common Names Eastern River…
Trachemys scripta elegans (Red Eared Slider)
The red-eared slider is one of the most recognized freshwater turtles in the world. Its striking red stripe behind each eye makes it easy to spot. This turtle is popular in the pet trade and often seen basking on logs in ponds and lakes. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys scriptaSubspecies:…
Trachemys grayi (Gray’s Slider)
Trachemys grayi, also known as Gray’s Slider, is a freshwater turtle found primarily in Central America. It’s closely related to the more well-known Red-Eared Slider and shares many of its behaviors but is geographically more restricted. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys grayi Common Names Gray’s SliderMesoamerican Slider Identification DescriptionGray’s Slider…
Trachemys gaigeae (Big Bend Slider)
The Big Bend Slider (Trachemys gaigeae) is a freshwater turtle found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is closely related to the more common Red-eared Slider but is native to a limited range and shows some unique features. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys gaigeae Common Names Big…
Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle)
The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a small, terrestrial turtle known for its high-domed shell and ability to close itself completely using a hinged plastron. Native to the eastern United States, it is a long-lived species often found in forests and grasslands, where it thrives in humid environments. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass:…
Terrapene carolina triunguis (Three-toed Box Turtle)
Terrapene triunguis, commonly known as the Three-toed Box Turtle, is a subspecies of the common box turtle found in the central and southern United States. It is named for the three toes on its hind limbs, distinguishing it from other box turtle species. This terrestrial turtle is known for its high-domed shell and secretive nature,…
Terrapene ornata (Ornate Box Turtle)
Terrapene ornata, commonly known as the ornate box turtle, is a small, terrestrial turtle native to North America. Recognized for its striking yellow and black patterned shell, this species is well-adapted to dry grasslands and prairies, where it spends much of its life burrowed underground. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TerrapeneSpecies: T….
Terrapene carolina (Common Box Turtle)
Terrapene carolina, commonly known as the Common Box Turtle, is a terrestrial species native to North America. Recognized for its domed shell and hinged plastron, it can completely close itself inside for protection. This turtle is known for its long lifespan, sometimes exceeding 100 years. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TerrapeneSpecies: T….
Sternotherus odoratus (eastern musk turtle)
Sternotherus odoratus, known as the eastern musk turtle, is a small aquatic turtle found in eastern North America. It’s famous for the strong, foul odor it releases when threatened, which led to its nickname “stinkpot.” This hardy species thrives in various freshwater habitats and is known for its secretive nature. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass:…
Sternotherus carinatus (Razor-backed Musk Turtle)
Sternotherus carinatus, commonly known as the Razor-backed Musk Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle named for the distinct sharp ridge running along its shell. Found in slow-moving waters of the southeastern United States, this species is secretive and primarily aquatic, rarely basking outside the water. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: SternotherusSpecies: Sternotherus…
Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin)
Malaclemys terrapin, commonly known as the Diamondback Terrapin, is a brackish water turtle native to the coastal regions of the United States. Known for its unique diamond-patterned carapace, this species thrives in marshy habitats and plays a vital ecological role. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: MalaclemysSpecies: M. terrapin Common Names Diamondback TerrapinSaltwater…
Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle)
Macrochelys temminckii, commonly known as the alligator snapping turtle, is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Known for its prehistoric appearance, it thrives in the rivers and swamps of the southeastern United States. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelydridaeGenus: MacrochelysSpecies: M. temminckii Common Names Alligator snapping turtleLoggerhead snapping turtle Identification…
Kinosternon subrubrum (Eastern Mud Turtle)
The Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) is a small, semi-aquatic turtle known for its adaptability and inconspicuous nature. Its unassuming shell and secretive behavior make it a fascinating species native to the southeastern United States. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: KinosternonSpecies: subrubrum Common Names Eastern Mud Turtle, Common Mud Turtle Identification DescriptionEastern…
Kinosternon integrum (Mexican Mud Turtle)
Kinosternon integrum, commonly known as the Mexican Mud Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle found primarily in Mexico. Known for its adaptability, this species thrives in a variety of aquatic habitats and plays an essential role in local ecosystems. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: KinosternonSpecies: Kinosternon integrum Common Names Mexican Mud TurtleCasquito…
Kinosternon hirtipes (Rough-footed Mud Turtle)
Kinosternon hirtipes, commonly known as the Rough-footed Mud Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle native to arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas. Known for its rugged limbs and adaptability, this species thrives in diverse habitats ranging from temporary ponds to permanent water bodies. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: KinosternonSpecies: hirtipes Common…
Kinosternon flavescens (Yellow Mud Turtle)
Kinosternon flavescens, commonly known as the Yellow Mud Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle known for its adaptability to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. This species is native to North America and has a distinctive olive to yellowish coloration. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: KinosternonSpecies: K. flavescens Common Names Yellow Mud TurtleYellow-necked…
Lepidochelys kempii (Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle)
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is a small marine turtle with a round, grayish-green shell and a lighter underside. It is often found in warm coastal waters and is known for its unique nesting behavior. Its numbers have been low, making it one of the most endangered sea turtles on the planet. Scientific Classification Common Names…
Graptemys versa (Texas Map Turtle)
Graptemys versa, commonly known as the Texas Map Turtle, is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle native to central Texas. Renowned for its intricately patterned shell resembling a geographical map, this species captivates both researchers and turtle enthusiasts with its unique appearance and behaviors. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: GraptemysSpecies: G. versa…
Graptemys sabinensis (Sabine Map Turtle)
The Sabine Map Turtle (Graptemys sabinensis) is a freshwater turtle known for its intricate, map-like shell patterns. Endemic to the United States, this species inhabits the Sabine River system along the Texas-Louisiana border, showcasing unique behaviors and characteristics that distinguish it from other map turtles. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description The Sabine Map Turtle…
Graptemys ouachitensis (Ouachita Map Turtle)
The Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) is a freshwater turtle native to the central United States. Recognizable by the intricate, map-like patterns on its shell and distinctive yellow markings, this species thrives in rivers and streams with abundant basking sites. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description The Ouachita Map Turtle features a keeled carapace with…
Graptemys geographica (Common Map Turtle)
Graptemys geographica, commonly known as the Common Map Turtle, is a freshwater turtle species native to North America. Renowned for the intricate, map-like patterns on its shell, this turtle is a captivating inhabitant of rivers and streams across the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description The Common Map Turtle…
Graptemys caglei (Cagle’s Map Turtle)
Cagle’s Map Turtle (Graptemys caglei) is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle native to Texas, USA. Recognizable by its intricately patterned shell resembling a topographic map, this species inhabits clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams. Due to its limited range and specific habitat requirements, it has become a subject of conservation concern. Scientific Classification Common Names…
Gopherus berlandieri (Texas Tortoise)
Gopherus berlandieri, commonly known as the Texas Tortoise, is a fascinating species native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. Renowned for its adaptability to arid environments, this tortoise plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. Despite its resilience, the Texas Tortoise faces several conservation challenges that threaten its survival. Scientific Classification Common…
Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a critically endangered species known for its strikingly beautiful, overlapping shell plates that have been used historically in the tortoiseshell trade. These turtles are primarily found in tropical coral reefs and are essential for maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description:Hawksbill turtles are medium-sized, growing…
Deirochelys reticularia (Chicken Turtle)
Deirochelys reticularia is commonly known as the chicken turtle due to its long neck resembling that of a chicken. It’s a semi-aquatic species, often found in slow-moving waters and known for its distinctive reticulated shell pattern, which is where it gets its scientific name. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Native Origin and Distribution Preferred Habitat…
Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle)
Chelydra serpentina, commonly known as the common snapping turtle, is a large freshwater turtle native to North America. This species is known for its powerful jaws and aggressive behavior when out of the water, although it prefers to avoid confrontation in its natural habitat. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description The common snapping turtle has…
Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle)
Chrysemys Picta, commonly known as the painted turtle, is renowned for its strikingly colorful markings on its extremities, neck, and shell. These turtles are small to medium in size and are one of the most widely distributed turtle species in North America. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Native Origin and Distribution Preferred Habitat Painted turtles…
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead sea turtle)
The Caretta caretta, commonly known as the loggerhead sea turtle, is a marine species notable for its large head and robust body. As one of the ocean’s most migratory creatures, these turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, primarily through their influence on other species and their habitats. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Native…
Apalone spinifera (Spiny softshell turtle)
Apalone spinifera, commonly known as the spiny softshell turtle, is a unique species of softshell turtle that is notable for its leathery carapace and spiny projections along the front edge. This turtle is adapted to a life predominantly in water, displaying a streamlined body for efficient swimming. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description Apalone spinifera…
Apalone mutica (Smooth softshell turtle)
Apalone mutica, commonly known as the smooth softshell turtle, is a species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. It is characterized by its smooth, leathery shell and snorkel-like nose, which are adaptations for its aquatic lifestyle. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description Smooth softshell turtles have a flat, round, leathery carapace that lacks scutes…
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