Home > Turtle & Tortoise Database > Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Podocnemis unifilis, or the Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found in South America. It’s easily recognized by the bright yellow spots on its head, especially in younger turtles. This species plays an important role in the ecosystem of the Amazon basin. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PodocnemisSpecies: Podocnemis unifilis…
Podocnemis sextuberculata, also known as the Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found mainly in the Amazon Basin. It’s named after the six bony projections on its shell, which help set it apart from other river turtles in the region. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PodocnemisSpecies: P. sextuberculata Common Names…
The Arrau turtle, Podocnemis expansa, is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. It’s found in South America’s major river systems and is famous for its synchronized mass nesting events known as arribadas. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PodocnemisSpecies: Podocnemis expansa Common Names Arrau turtleGiant South American river turtleCharapa (locally…
Podocnemis erythrocephala, known for its striking red head, is a small freshwater turtle found in the Amazon basin. It lives mainly in blackwater rivers and has unique habits that set it apart from other South American turtles. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PodocnemisSpecies: P. erythrocephala Common Names Red-headed River TurtleRed-headed Amazon River…
Phrynops williamsi, also known as Williams’ side-necked turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to parts of South America. It belongs to the Chelidae family, known for their sideways-folding necks and aquatic lifestyles. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelidaeGenus: PhrynopsSpecies: Phrynops williamsi Common Names Williams’ side-necked turtleTartaruga-de-cabeça-larga (in Portuguese) Identification DescriptionPhrynops williamsi has a…
Pelusios broadleyi, also known as the Turkana mud turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to East Africa. It lives mostly around Lake Turkana and is adapted to warm, muddy environments. This species is not well-known and has only been found in limited locations. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios broadleyi Common…
Peltocephalus dumerilianus, also known as the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to the Amazon Basin. It stands out with its unusually large head and domed shell, making it easily recognizable among river turtles. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PeltocephalusSpecies: Peltocephalus dumerilianus Common Names Big-headed Amazon River TurtleBig-headed Sideneck…
The Pelodiscus sinensis, or Chinese softshell turtle, is known for its leathery shell and flexible body, quite different from the hard-shelled turtles we usually imagine. It’s a freshwater species widely farmed and found across Asia, valued for both culinary and cultural reasons. Scientific Classification Common Names Chinese softshell turtleAsiatic softshell turtle Identification DescriptionThe Chinese softshell…
Pelochelys signifera, or the Variegated Giant Softshell Turtle, is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. It lives in river systems of Papua New Guinea and is rarely seen due to its shy nature and remote habitat. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: PelochelysSpecies: Pelochelys signifera Common Names Variegated Giant Softshell…
Pelochelys bibroni, known as Bibron’s Giant Softshell Turtle, is one of the largest freshwater turtles on Earth. It’s elusive and rarely seen, making it one of the most mysterious turtle species in the wild. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: PelochelysSpecies: Pelochelys bibroni Common Names Bibron’s Giant Soft-shelled TurtleSouthern New Guinea giant softshell…
The Indian roofed turtle is a small freshwater turtle known for the raised, pointed ridge on its shell. It lives in slow-moving rivers and ponds and is often seen basking on rocks or logs during the day. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: PangshuraSpecies: Pangshura tecta Common Names Indian roofed turtleRoofed turtle Identification…
The African Softshell Turtle (Trionyx triunguis) is a large, freshwater turtle known for its flat, leathery shell and long neck. It is one of the few softshell turtles native to both Africa and the Middle East, often found in rivers, lakes, and even brackish waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: TrionyxSpecies: Trionyx…
Trachemys yaquia, or the Yaqui Slider, is a freshwater turtle native to northern Mexico. It’s a close relative of the red-eared slider but lives in a much more limited range. This species is quite shy and depends heavily on clean, slow-moving waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys yaquia Common Names…
Trachemys terrapen, also known as the Jamaican Slider, is a freshwater turtle found mainly in the Caribbean. It’s a colorful and active species often seen basking in the sun or swimming through clear waters. While it looks similar to other sliders, it’s a unique species with its own local story. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass:…
The Ornate Slider (Trachemys ornata) is a freshwater turtle known for its striking pattern and limited range in northeastern Mexico. It is closely related to the popular red-eared slider but is much rarer in the wild and rarely seen in the pet trade. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: T. ornata Common…
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…
Trachemys decorata, known as the Hispaniolan slider, is a freshwater turtle found only on the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It’s part of the pond slider group and is adapted to the tropical climate of the Caribbean. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: EmydidaeGenus: TrachemysSpecies: Trachemys decorata Common Names…
The Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) is a small, hardy tortoise known for its burrowing habits and ability to survive in harsh, arid environments. Native to Central Asia, it is a popular pet due to its manageable size and resilience. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: TestudoSpecies: T. horsfieldii Common Names Russian TortoiseHorsfield’s TortoiseAfghan…
Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a small to medium-sized land tortoise native to southern Europe. Recognized for its yellow and black patterned shell, this species thrives in warm, dry habitats and is popular in the pet trade due to its manageable size and hardy nature. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: TestudoSpecies: T….
The Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a small to medium-sized tortoise native to parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Known for its domed shell and long lifespan, this species thrives in dry, rocky habitats and has been kept as a pet for centuries. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: TestudoSpecies:…
The Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major) is the largest subspecies of the Common Box Turtle, known for its robust size and highly domed shell. Found along the Gulf of Mexico’s coastal regions, it thrives in humid environments and exhibits strong terrestrial tendencies while occasionally wading in shallow waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass:…
looking for something else? search below!
Dive into 729 posts for the latest expert and veterinarian insights.