Pseudemys rubriventris (Northern Red-bellied Cooter)

Pseudemys rubriventris (Northern Red-bellied Cooter)

The Northern Red-bellied Cooter is a freshwater turtle known for its striking red plastron and smooth, dark carapace. It’s one of the largest native pond turtles in the northeastern United States and is especially notable for its endangered status in some regions. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: PseudemysSpecies: Pseudemys rubriventris Common Names…

Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande Cooter)

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…

Psammobates tentorius (Tent Tortoise)

Psammobates tentorius (Tent Tortoise)

Psammobates tentorius, known as the tent tortoise, is a small, shy tortoise native to southern Africa. Its name comes from the tent-like shape of its high-domed shell, marked with beautiful star patterns. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: PsammobatesSpecies: Psammobates tentorius Common Names Tent tortoiseStar tortoise of South Africa Identification DescriptionTent tortoises have…

Psammobates oculifer (Serrated Tortoise)

Psammobates oculifer (Serrated Tortoise)

Psammobates oculifer, also known as the serrated tortoise, is a small, dryland tortoise found in southern Africa. It’s recognized for its unique shell edge, which looks jagged or saw-like. This species is shy, slow-moving, and highly adapted to arid environments. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: PsammobatesSpecies: Psammobates oculifer Common Names Serrated TortoiseSerrated…

Podocnemis vogli (Savanna Side-necked Turtle)

Podocnemis vogli (Savanna Side-necked Turtle)

Podocnemis vogli, also known as the Savanna Side-necked Turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to South America. It’s one of the lesser-known species of the Podocnemis genus and is typically found in savanna-type ecosystems with slow-moving waters. Scientific Classification Common Names Savanna Side-necked TurtleVogl’s Side-necked Turtle Identification DescriptionThis turtle has an oval-shaped, slightly domed carapace…

Pangshura smithii (Brown roofed turtle)

Pangshura smithii (Brown roofed turtle)

Pangshura smithii, also known as the brown roofed turtle, is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle found across parts of South Asia. Known for the dome-shaped shell with subtle keels, this turtle lives in rivers and ponds and is often spotted basking near water. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: PangshuraSpecies: Pangshura smithii…

Trachemys stejnegeri vicina (Dominican slider)

Trachemys stejnegeri vicina (Dominican slider)

The Dominican slider, Trachemys stejnegeri vicina, is a freshwater turtle native to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It’s a subspecies of the Central Antillean slider and is known for its adaptability to different aquatic habitats. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys stejnegeriSubspecies: Trachemys stejnegeri vicina Common Names Dominican sliderHaitian slider Identification…

Trachemys stejnegeri malonei (Inagua slider)

Trachemys stejnegeri malonei (Inagua slider)

The Inagua slider, Trachemys stejnegeri malonei, is a freshwater turtle found only on Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas. This turtle is a subspecies of the Central Antillean slider and is known for its unique markings and isolated habitat. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys stejnegeriSubspecies: Trachemys stejnegeri malonei Common Names…

Trachemys stejnegeri stejnegeri (Puerto Rican slider)

Trachemys stejnegeri stejnegeri (Puerto Rican slider)

The Puerto Rican slider is a freshwater turtle known for its basking behavior and smooth shell. It’s a subspecies of the Trachemys stejnegeri group and is native to Puerto Rico. This turtle plays a role in the island’s aquatic ecosystems and is often spotted in calm water bodies. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily:…

Trachemys stejnegeri (Central Antillean slider)

Trachemys stejnegeri (Central Antillean slider)

Trachemys stejnegeri, also known as the Central Antillean slider, is a freshwater turtle found in the Caribbean. It is part of the slider group known for its basking behavior and semi-aquatic lifestyle. This species is native to a few islands and shows variation based on its location. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus:…

Terrapene ornata (Ornate Box Turtle)

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….

Staurotypus triporcatus (Mexican musk turtle)

Staurotypus triporcatus (Mexican musk turtle)

Staurotypus triporcatus, commonly known as the Mexican musk turtle, is a large, robust freshwater turtle found in Central America. Recognized for its three prominent keels running along its carapace, this species is known for its aggressive temperament and strong bite. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: StaurotypusSpecies: Staurotypus triporcatus Common Names Mexican musk…

Staurotypus salvinii (Giant Musk Turtle)

Staurotypus salvinii (Giant Musk Turtle)

Staurotypus salvinii, commonly known as the Giant Musk Turtle, is a large, robust freshwater turtle found in Central America. Known for its strong jaws and aggressive nature, this species is a carnivorous predator that thrives in slow-moving water bodies. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: StaurotypusSpecies: Staurotypus salvinii Common Names Giant Musk TurtleSalvin’s…

Rhinoclemmys rubida (Mexican Spotted Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys rubida (Mexican Spotted Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys rubida, commonly known as the Mexican Spotted Wood Turtle, is a terrestrial species native to Mexico. It is known for its striking shell pattern and preference for humid forested environments. Despite its adaptability, habitat loss poses a threat to its population. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: RhinoclemmysSpecies: Rhinoclemmys rubida Common Names…

Rhinoclemmys nasuta (Large-nosed Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys nasuta (Large-nosed Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys nasuta, commonly known as the Large-nosed Wood Turtle, is a freshwater turtle species native to South America. It is recognized for its elongated snout and terrestrial habits, often found in humid forest regions near water sources. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: RhinoclemmysSpecies: R. nasuta Common Names Large-nosed Wood TurtleEcuadorian Wood Turtle…

Rhinoclemmys funerea (Black Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys funerea (Black Wood Turtle)

Rhinoclemmys funerea, commonly known as the Black Wood Turtle, is a semi-aquatic turtle species found in Central America. It is recognized for its dark, almost black carapace and is often seen near rivers, swamps, and tropical forests. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: RhinoclemmysSpecies: R. funerea Common Names Black Wood TurtleNicaraguan Wood Turtle…

Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Vander Haeghe’s Toad-headed Turtle)

Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Vander Haeghe’s Toad-headed Turtle)

Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei, commonly known as Vander Haeghe’s Toad-headed Turtle, is a unique freshwater turtle species recognized for its distinctive head shape and vibrant coloration. Native to the diverse ecosystems of South America, this turtle plays a vital role in its habitat’s ecological balance. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei is characterized by its…