Home > Turtle & Tortoise Database > Conservation Status: Least Concern
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 peninsularis, or the Peninsula Cooter, is a freshwater turtle known for its striking patterns and calm behavior. It’s often seen basking in sunny spots across Florida’s wetlands and rivers. This species is a favorite among local nature watchers due to its size and social nature. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies:…
Pseudemys nelsoni, or the Florida Red-bellied Cooter, is a freshwater turtle known for its bright reddish plastron and calm nature. It’s often seen basking in the sun across the southeastern United States, especially in Florida. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies: P. nelsoni Common Names Florida Red-bellied CooterFlorida Red-bellied Turtle Identification DescriptionThis…
Pseudemys floridana, known as the Florida cooter, is a large, freshwater turtle native to the southeastern United States. It’s known for its smooth, olive-brown shell and fast swimming abilities in rivers and ponds. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies: P. floridana Common Names Florida CooterCoastal Plain Cooter Identification DescriptionFlorida cooters have a…
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…
Platemys platycephala, also called the twist-necked turtle, is a small and secretive species found in parts of South America. Its flat, leaf-like body and ability to twist its neck sideways make it one of the more unique freshwater turtles in the world. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelidaeGenus: PlatemysSpecies: platycephala Common Names Twist-Necked…
Phrynops tuberosus, also known as the Cotinga River toadhead turtle, is a freshwater turtle species found in parts of South America. It belongs to the Chelidae family and is known for its distinct flattened head and river-dwelling habits. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelidaeGenus: PhrynopsSpecies: Phrynops tuberosus Common Names Cotinga River toadhead turtleTartaruga-de-cabeça-de-sapo…
Phrynops hilarii, also known as Hilaire’s Side-necked Turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to parts of South America. It is known for its sideways-tucking neck and wide head, giving it a distinct look compared to other turtles. This species spends much of its time in slow-moving rivers and streams. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder:…
Phrynops geoffroanus, or Geoffroy’s Side-necked Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found widely across South America. It belongs to the Chelidae family and is known for its unique way of bending its neck sideways under the shell instead of pulling it straight in. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelidaeGenus: PhrynopsSpecies: Phrynops geoffroanus Common Names…
Pelusios williamsi, or Williams’ Mud Turtle, is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle found in parts of East Africa. It’s known for its domed shell and hinged plastron that helps it protect itself from threats. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios williamsi Common Names Williams’ Mud TurtleWilliams’ African Mud Turtle Identification…
Pelusios subniger, known as the East African black mud turtle, is a freshwater turtle commonly found in parts of eastern and southern Africa. It’s known for its dark shell and ability to live in a range of aquatic habitats, including seasonal water bodies. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: P. subniger Common…
The Pelusios sinuatus, also called the serrated hinged terrapin, is a freshwater turtle found mostly in southern Africa. It gets its name from the serrated edge at the back of its shell and its special hinged plastron that helps it close its shell tightly for protection. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies:…
Pelusios rhodesianus, also known as the variable mud turtle, is a small freshwater turtle known for its highly adaptable nature and wide range of shell patterns. It belongs to the family Pelomedusidae and is native to parts of southern and central Africa. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios rhodesianus Common Names…
The Pelusios niger, or West African Black Mud Turtle, is a freshwater turtle known for its dark, almost black shell and secretive nature. It’s one of the lesser-known members of the African mud turtle group but stands out due to its color and adaptability. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios niger…
Pelusios gabonensis is a semi-aquatic turtle found mostly in the tropical forests and swamps of central and western Africa. It is known for its hinged plastron, allowing it to close its shell tightly when threatened. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios gabonensis Common Names African Forest TurtleGabon Mud Turtle Identification DescriptionThis…
Pelusios chapini, also known as the Central African Mud Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found mainly in Central Africa. It’s a shy, semi-aquatic species that prefers slow-moving or still waters and is often overlooked due to its quiet lifestyle. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios chapini Common Names Central African Mud…
Pelusios castanoides, known as the yellowbelly mud turtle, is a small freshwater turtle native to parts of Africa. Its name comes from its distinct yellow plastron, which contrasts with its darker carapace. These turtles are shy, semi-aquatic, and spend much of their time hidden in muddy waters. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification DescriptionThis turtle has…
The West African mud turtle, Pelusios castaneus, is a hardy freshwater species known for its adaptability and wide range. It’s a common turtle in parts of West Africa and is often seen in local water bodies, from ponds to slow-moving rivers. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios castaneus Common Names Identification…
Pelusios carinatus is a small freshwater turtle native to Central Africa. It’s known for the raised keel running down its shell, giving it a rugged look. Despite being less popular in the pet trade, it plays a key role in its local ecosystem. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios carinatus Common…
Pelusios bechuanicus, also known as the Okavango mud turtle, is a freshwater species found mostly in southern Africa. It’s part of the Pelomedusidae family and is known for its adaptability to shallow, seasonal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios bechuanicus Common Names Okavango mud turtleBechuanaland mud turtle Identification DescriptionThis turtle…
Pelusios adansonii, or Adanson’s Mud Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle mostly found in parts of West and Central Africa. Known for its shy nature and flexible shell, this species thrives in slow-moving waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios adansonii Common Names Adanson’s Mud TurtleWest African Mud Turtle Identification DescriptionThis…
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