Different Types of Turtles

There are over 25 different types of turtles ranging in size and location. Let’s take a look at six of the more popular turtles you may be familiar with.

The box turtle resides mainly on land; however, they usually prefer swamps or open areas. The shell is four to five inches long and has a high arch. They feed on snails, earthworms, fruits, berries, and insects. Characteristics of the female box turtle include brown or red eyes while the male’s eyes are bright red. They are usually located on the Eastern part of the U.S.

The painted turtle is about five to six inches in length, and male painted turtles tend to be smaller than females. Their shells are dark, flat, and with a smooth edge. They are mostly can be found in swamps and ponds and also reside in the Central and Eastern part of the U.S.

The slider turtles are red or olive green, and the shells and skin of a slider usually contain corresponding markings. The red-eared slider has a touch of red behind their eyes. As for the yellow-bellied slider, they have yellow markings behind their eyes as well as on their bellies. These dissipate with age.

The bog turtle is one of the world's smallest and rarest turtle. While it usually grows to only four inches, you can spot this type of turtle by the bright orange or yellow marks on the side of the neck or head. They also have a dark upper shell that is three to four inches narrow. The lower shell is usually a cream color with black markings.

The snapping turtle is considered to be the most aggressive in the world of turtles. With long necks and powerful jaws, they are difficult to handle. Their shell is usually dark brown, rough and covered in algae. One distinct feature of the snapping turtle is they cannot withdraw their heads into the shells. They are usually found in waters and ponds. They can grow up to18 inches and weight as much as 64 pounds.

While their shells are hard, the soft shell turtle has soft edges without rough scales like its counterparts. Their shell is covered in skin and they have long necks that can be used to catch any prey. They swim underwater using their webbed feet and keep their long noses above the water to breathe. The females are larger then the males and can grow to be 24 inches whereas the males grow to approximately 12 inches.

If you are interested in learning more about the different types of turtles that exist today, you may wish to go to your local library and check out books on turtles. Each one is as different as night and day. Moreover, you may also wish to learn more about tortoises – the largest of the turtle species.