Different types of Semi-Aquatic turtles are found all throughout the world thanks to their expansive diets. Some types of turtles are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. The number of different species that comprise the order Testudines is around four hundred, though, admittedly, that number doesn’t represent all the variety that exists. There are many different species that are still undiscovered by science.
Semi-Aquatic turtles are found in every continent except Antarctica. They are also called tortoises, terrapins, or, in the case of the Gopher Tortoise, the gopher turtle. This article goes over different types of Semi-Aquatic turtles in detail.
1. Eastern Box Turtle
There are many different types of box turtles, but the most common species is known as the eastern box turtle. This turtle has a carapace that has four prominent keels on it, and it is covered with a hard shell.
Box turtles are known for their ability to close up their shells. This type of turtle can be found over an area of about 10 million square miles!
Overview:
- Common name: Box turtle
- Family: Emydidae
- Genus: Terrapene
- Binomial name: Terrapene carolina
- Average size: Generally about one foot long, but occasionally up to four feet long.
- Life span: Up to 80 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found in parts of the United States, including every state except Hawaii and Alaska.
2. Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise, or the gopher turtle, is a common species of tortoise found in North America. This type of turtle lives in areas that have sandy soils and plenty of vegetation. It can be found in the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico.
The gopher tortoise has a carapace that is generally brown, yellow or light tan with four prominent keels on it. It has a tail that can be pointed or spade-shaped. The jaw is large and chomp-like because the animal digs for its food underground by using its head instead of its mouth like most turtles do.
Overview:
- Common name: Gopher tortoise
- Family: Testudinidae
- Genus: Gopherus (population of several species)
- binomial name: Gopherus polyphemus
- Average size: Five to six inches long and up to one hundred pounds in weight.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Life span: More than fifty years.
- Popular locations: Found throughout the southeastern United States and throughout Mexico.
3. Red-eared Slider Turtle
The Red-eared Slider, also known as the red-eared Terrapin or simply as a slider is a fairly large turtle species that is found in the United States and parts of Mexico. They are often confused with red eared sliders because of their similar appearance and names, but they are a different species altogether that is found in Asia and Africa instead of being native to North America.
Overview:
- Common name: Red-eared turtle
- Family: Emydidae
- Genus: Trachemys
- trinomial name: Trachemys scripta
- Average size: About three to four feet long with males generally being larger than females.
- type: semi-aquatic
- Life span: Unknown, a species that lives for over fifty years is not uncommon.
- Popular locations: United States and Mixeco
4. African Helmeted Terrapin
African Helmeted Terrapins are water-dwelling turtles that live in the northern part of Africa, from the Mediterranean Sea to Lake Chad. This is the only species in its genus that can be found in Africa.
African Helmeted terrapins are also known as African side-necked turtles because they have a longer neck than most turtles, and a shell that is brown with streaks and blotches of green or black. They have a dome-shaped carapace on their backs, and their plastrons are generally dark brown or black with blotches of green or yellow.
Overview:
- Common name: African Helmeted Terrapin
- Family: Pelomedusidae
- Genus: Pelomedusa
- Binomial name: Pelomedusa subrufa
- Average size: About nine inches long.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Life span: Approximately 60 years; males live longer than females.
- Popular locations: Found in northern Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt
5. Spiny Softshell Turtle
The spiny softshell turtle is found in the United States and part of Mexico on the west coast and along the Gulf of Mexico on the south side of Florida through Texas and Louisiana into Florida. They are found up into southern regions in Canada as well but are not known to be common or widespread outside of their native range. They are not known to be endangered and their populations continue to grow.
Overview:
- Common name: Spiny softshell turtle
- Family: Trionychidae
- Genus: Apalone
- Binomial name: Apalone spinifera
- Average size: About nine inches long; males are larger than females.
- type: semi-aquatic
- Life span: Average lifespan is about seventy years.
- Popular locations: Found in Mexico and the United States; they are not endangered or threatened.
6. Black-Knobbed Map Turtle
An adult black-knobbed map turtle is typically about nine inches long. The head, neck and the top of the shell are dark brown or black, while the sides and bottom of the shell are a lighter brown color. They have between eight and thirteen yellow scutes that make up their outer shell, which is covered by a thin layer of skin. These turtles are also sometimes known as knob-backed snapper, knobby map turtle or simply knob-back turtle.
Overview:
- Common name: Black-knobbed map turtle
- Family: Emydidae
- Genus: Graptemys
- trinomial name: Graptemys nigrinoda
- Average size: Approximately 8 to 9 inches long.
- type: semi-aquatic
- Life span: In the wild, they typically live 60 years.
- Popular locations: Found in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
7. Wood Turtle
Wood turtles are found in the eastern half of the United States and parts of southern Canada. They are present throughout much of their range, but populations are declining in some places because of habitat loss and degradation from human activities such as deforestation, increased development of lands, hurricanes, storm damage from tropical storms, or environmental pollution from agricultural runoff or other sources.
Overview:
- Common name: Wood turtle]
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Glyptemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Glyptemys insculpta
- Average size: Approximately 8 to 10 inches long; females are larger than males.
- type: semi-aquatic.
- Life span: Adults live 20 to 45 years and reach sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years of age.
- Popular locations: Found in Canada and the United States.
8. Spotted Turtle
Spotted turtles are found throughout much of their range in North America. They exist in all types of habitats from small streams to large rivers. Their range extends from the southern portions of Canada and the northern United States all the way through the midwest and into the southeastern United States
Overview:
- Common name: Spotted turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Clemmys (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Clemmys guttata
- Average size: Approximately 8 to 9 inches long.
- type: semi-aquatic
- Life span: In the wild they live between 25 and 35 years; in captivity they can live longer than 35 years.
- Popular locations: Found in Canada and the United States, but not threatened or endangered.
9. Eastern Musk Turtle
The eastern musk turtle is considered to be a small turtle that has a round body that is slightly flattened on the top with a raised ridge that runs lengthwise down the center of its shell. Its carapace is smooth without any keels and covered with fine scales; their plastrons are yellowish to cream in color and their legs are somewhat long and webbed.
Overview:
- Common name: Eastern musk turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Sternotherus (family of turtles)
- binomial name: Sternotherus odoratus
- Average size: Approximately 6.5 inches long.
- type : semi-aquatic
- life span : In the wild they live between 20 and 30 years; in captivity they live longer than 30 years.
- Popular locations : Found in the eastern US and Canada, and are not threatened or endangered.
10. Painted Turtle
The painted turtle lives in the northern region of the United States and Canada throughout most of its range but is rare south of New Jersey. This species of turtle lives in ponds and small lakes and is rarely seen in streams. It is usually found around wooded areas or shrubs near water. Its diet consists of fish, insects, frogs, salamanders and aquatic plants. The adult painted turtle varies in color from dark olive to black with yellow stripes on the edges of its shell.
Overview:
- Common name: Painted turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Chrysemys (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Chrysemys picta
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Average size: Approximately 7 to 12 inches long.
- Life span : They live between 20 and 35 years; in captivity they can live longer than 35 years.
- Popular locations: Found in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee.
11. Common Snapping Turtle
The common snapping turtle is the most widespread freshwater turtle in eastern North America and the southeastern United States but is rare south of Florida. The turtle has a large, heavy carapace that is shaped like a barrel with a short neck and pointed snout.
Overview:
- Common name: Common snapping turtle
- Family: Chelydridae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Chelydra (family of turtles)
- binomial name: Chelydra serpentina
- Average size: Approximately 12 to 18 inches long.
- life span: They can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity, they can live longer than 50 years.
- type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations : Found in the eastern half of the United States
Read more about Snapping Turtles
12. Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback terrapins are turtles that can be found in the coastal regions of North America; most of them are found in the marshes but some live on brackish water. They have black and yellow stripes on the edges of their scutes and are about six inches long. They eat fish, algae, insects and mollusks. In the spring, diamondback terrapins leave the brackish waters to lay their eggs on sandy beaches
Overview:
- Common name: Diamondback terrapin
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Malaclemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Malaclemys terrapin
- Average size: Approximately 8 to 10 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations : Found in the eastern half of the United States, not threatened or endangered.
13. Eastern Mud Turtle
The eastern mud turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of the United States; they can be found in quiet streams, ponds and swamps but prefer large rivers where they spend most of their time. The eastern mud turtle is nicknamed the “mud turtle” because they tend to live near the edge of ponds or streams, where they enjoy digging burrows in the mud. It has a very hard shell.
Overview:
- Common name: Eastern mud turtle
- Family: Kinosternidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Kinosternon (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Kinosternon subrubrum
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 7 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the United States, not threatened or endangered.
14. Blanding’s Turtle
The Blanding’s turtle is native to much of the eastern half of North America; they are sometimes found along small streams, lakes and ponds but prefer slow-moving rivers and bottomland swamps where they spend most of their time.
Their shells are brown, black or gray with large horn-like projections and usually are shaped somewhat like an upside-down drop; they have a very long neck that ends in a larger head than their shell. The Blanding’s turtle has high keratoses (bumps) on their shell and they have thick skin that is not only rough to touch but also serves as a sunscreen to help them absorb the sun’s rays.
Overview:
- Common name: Blanding’s turtleFamily: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Emydoidea (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Emydoidea blandingii
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 4 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 30 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 30 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found in the eastern half of the United States, not threatened or endangered.
15. Chinese Softshell Turtle
The Chinese softshell turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of Asia; they can be found on rivers, lakes and ponds but prefer quiet creeks where they spend most of their time. They are often mistaken for a small turtle but They are actually nearly as big as an alligator and the name “soft shell” comes from their soft skin and the spiny projections on their shells. The Chinese softshell turtle has two different colored patterns on their shell, one is light brown and the second is dark brown, sometimes both patterns will be present.
Overview:
- Common name: Chinese softshell turtle
- Family: Trionychidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Pelodiscus (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Pelodiscus sinensis
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 7 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout Asia, not threatened or endangered.
16. Pond Slider Turtle
The pond slider turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of the East Coast of the United States; they can be found on small streams and ponds but prefer quiet waters where they spend most of their time. They are often mistaken for a small turtle but They are actually nearly as big as an alligator and the name “slider” comes from their ability to “slide” across the bottom of the water.
Overview:
- Common name: Pond slider turtle
- Family: Emididae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Trachemys (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Trachemys scripta
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 6 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout South America, not threatened or endangered.
17. Bog Turtle
The bog turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Eastern United States; they can be found in woods, meadows, swamps and marshes. The bog turtle is one of the most endangered turtles in North America because of their slow growth rate and they are often mistaken for a young turtle. The bog turtle rarely grows to be more than 4 to 5 inches in length.
Overview:
- Common name: Bog turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Glyptemys (family of turtles)
- Trinomial name :Glyptemys muhlenbergii
- Average size : Approximately 7 to 8 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout the Eastern United States, not threatened or endangered.
18. Northern Map Turtle
The northern map turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of North America; they can be found in lakes, ponds and rivers but prefer quiet streams where they spend most of their time. The northern map turtle has a bright yellow underbelly with black spots on it. The northern map turtle grows to be about eight to nine inches in length and can weigh up to four pounds. The Northern map turtle is also called a yellow-blotched map turtle
Overview:
- Common name: Northern map turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Graptemys (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Graptemys Geographica
- Average size : Approximately 6 to 10 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 30 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 30 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout Eastern and Northern United States, not threatened or endangered.
19. Russian Tortoise
The Russian tortoise is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of Eurasia; they can be found in streams, swamps, ponds and lakes but prefer quiet bodies of water where they spend most of their time. The Russian tortoise has a yellow shell with dark spots on it.
Overview:
- Common name: Russian tortoise
- Family: Testudinidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Agrionemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Agrionemys horsfieldii
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 6 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Eurasia, not threatened or endangered.
20. Mata Mata Turtle
The mata mata is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of South America; they can be found nesting on beaches.The mata mata has a black shell with yellow spots on it. It grows to be about four to six inches in length and can weigh up to two pounds.
The mata mata is known as the venomous turtle because they can use their sharp, pointed teeth to bite humans.
Overview:
- Common name: Mata mata, matamata
- Family: Chelidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Chelus (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Chelus fimbriatus
- Average size : Approximately 4 to 5 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years. type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout South America, not threatened or endangered.
21. Aldabra Giant Tortoise
The aldabra giant tortoise is a semi-aquatic turtle native to Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles; they can be found swimming, digging and feeding in the water but prefer nesting on dry patches of land.It has a brown shell with yellow blotches on it. The tortoise is the largest species of tortoise and grows to be about four feet in length. The aldabra tortoise is endangered due to lack of conservation efforts.
Overview:
- Common name: Aldabra giant tortoise
- Family: Testudinidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Aldabrachelys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Aldabrachelys gigantea
- Average size : Approximately 5 to 6 feet long.
- life span : they can live up to 100 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 100 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
22. European pond turtle
The European pond turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of Europe; they can be found in large, slow moving bodies of water where they spend most of their time. It has a shell that is a light brown color and yellow spots on it.
The European pond turtle can grow to be about four feet in length and can weigh up to three pounds. The turtle has a shell that is similar to the terrapin’s shell and they have no webbed feet. It is one of the smallest species of tortoise and lives in Europe
Overview:
- Common name: European pond turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Emys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Emys orbicularis
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 4 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 20 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 20 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Europe, not threatened or endangered.
23. Razor-backed Musk Turtle
The razor-backed musk turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Southern US; they can be found in rivers, swamps, and streams but prefer quiet bodies of water where they spend most of their time. The turtle has a greenish-brown shell that has yellow stripes on it. It grows to be up to 6 inches in length and can weigh up to five pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Razor-backed musk turtle
- Family: Kinosternidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Sternotherus (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Sternotherus carinatus
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 6 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 25 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 25 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic.
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the Southern US, not threatened or endangered.
24. Northern red-bellied cooter turtle
The northern red-bellied cooter turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the southeastern United States; they can be found in ponds, lakes, swamps and slow moving streams. It has a shell that is mostly colored brown and the underside of his shell is black. The cooter grows to be up to eight inches in length and can weigh up to three pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Northern red-bellied cooter turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Pseudemys (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Pseudemys (Apalone) rubriventris
- Average size : Approximately 12 to 15 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the eastern and southeastern United States, not threatened or endangered.
25. Flattened Musk turtle
The flattened musk turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to southeastern Asia; they can be found in ponds and lakes where they spend most of their time. It has a shell that is dark brown and has yellow stripes on it. The turtle grows to be up to a foot in length and can weigh up to five pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Flat-footed musk turtle
- Family: Trionychidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Sternotherus
- Trinomial name: Sternotherus depressus
- Average size : Approximately 3 to 5 inches long.
- Life span : they can live up to 45 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 45 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Southern US
26. Chicken Turtle
The chicken turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the southeastern United States; they can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers and swamps. It has a shell that is mostly colored aqua and has yellow rings on it. The turtle grows to be up to six inches in length and can weigh up to six pounds. Its meat tastes like chicken which explains its name and popularity in the food market.
Overview:
- Common name: Chicken turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Deirochelys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Deirochelys reticularia
- Average size : Approximately 8 to 13 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 70 years old in the wild and longer than 70 years in captivity.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the southeastern United States, not threatened or endangered.
27. False Map Turtle
The false map turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of the US; they can be found in ponds and lakes where they spend most of their time. This turtle can grow to be up to 10 inches in length and can weigh up to five pounds. This turtle is distinguished by its yellow coloration; it also has a blue-black stripe down each side of its head and around its neck.
Overview:
- Common name: False map turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Graptemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Graptemys geographica
- Average size : Approximately 5 inches long
- life span : they can live up to 40 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 40 years
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout the United States
28. Yellow Spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)
The yellow spotted amazon river turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of South America; they can be found in the Amazon River, tributaries and many other rivers where they spend most of their time. They have a shell that is green and yellow with white spots on it. This turtle can grow to be up to 16 inches in length and can weigh up to 12 pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Yellow spotted amazon river turtle
- Family: Podocnemididae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Podocnemis (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Podocnemis unifilis
- Average size : Approximately 14 to 18 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of South America, not threatened or endangered.
29. Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)
The Chinese pond turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to East Asia; they can be found in ponds, lakes and marshes where they spend most of their time. They have a shell that is mostly green and black with yellow spots on it. The turtle grows to be up to 15 inches in length and can weigh between 2 and 5 pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Chinese pond turtle [Mauremys reevesii]
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Mauremys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Mauremys reevesii
- Average size : Approximately 8 to 10 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 25 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 25 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia, not threatened or endangered.
30. Smooth softshell turtle
The smooth softshell turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of the southeastern United States; they can be found in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico and swamps where they spend most of their time. They have a shell that is green, brown and yellow with black spots. This turtle can grow to be up to 9 inches in length and can weigh up to five pounds.
Overview:
- Common name: Smooth softshell turtle
- Family: Trionychidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Apalone (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Apalone mutica
- Average size : Approximately 12 to 18 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the southeastern United States, not threatened or endangered.
31. Indian flapshell turtle
The Indian flap-shelled turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of southern Asia; they can be found in ponds, lakes and rivers where they spend most of their time. This turtle can grow to be up to 20 inches in length and can weigh up to 20 pounds. This turtle is distinguished by its shell, which is olive-yellow or light brown in color with yellow stripes running down each side of it.
Overview:
- Common name: Indian flap-shelled turtle
- Family: Trionychidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Lissemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Lissemys punctata
- Average size : Approximately 8 to 12 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 40 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 40 years. type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia, not threatened or endangered.
32. River Cooter turtle
The river cooter turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of the eastern and central United States; they can be found in much of the eastern United States as well as along the Gulf coast where they spend most of their time. They can be found in swamps and marshes where they go to the water to lay their eggs. They can grow to be up to 12 inches long.
Overview:
- Common name: River cooter turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Pseudemys (family of turtles)
- Trinomial name: Pseudemys concinna
- Average size : Approximately 11 to 15 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 40 years in the wild; in captivity, they can live longer than 40 years. Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of the southeastern United States, not threatened or endangered.
33. Elongated Tortoise
The elongated tortoise is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of Asia and some of India; they can be found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, swamps, streams and rivers where they spend most of their time. The elongated tortoise can grow to be up to 16.4 inches in length and can weigh up to 11 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is brown, black or light yellow in color and has a slightly raised keel on its back. This turtle is often mistaken for the Indian skunk turtle because of its smell which it excretes through glands on the sides of its neck.
Overview:
- Common name: Elongated tortoise
- Family: Testudinidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Indotestudo (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Indotestudo elongata
- Average size : Approximately 10 to 20 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia and India, not threatened or endangered.
34. Northern River Terrapins (Batagur baska)
The northern river terrapin is a semi-aquatic turtle native to much of Asia; they can be found in the Sunki River, Irrawaddy River and Citarum River where they spend most of their time. The northern river terrapin can grow to be up to 13 inches in length and can weigh up to 11 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is brown, black or yellow in color with black lines running down the sides of it on a light background. There are two distinct color phases of this turtle; the nominate subspecies has pink markings on its legs with round spots at the ends of these legs; another color phase of this turtle has yellow markings on its legs and spots that are smaller than those that the nominate subspecies has.
Overview:
- Common name: Northern river terrapin
- Family: Geoemydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Batagur (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Batagur baska
- Average size : Approximately 12 to 18 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia, not threatened or endangered.
35. Western Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)
The western box turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the United States; they can be found in Texas, Colorado and Nebraska where they spend most of their time.The western box turtle can grow to be up to 11 inches in length and can weigh up to 5 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is dark brown or black in color with red or yellow markings on it. This turtle is one of the most common turtles in the United States as well as being one of the most common found roadside dead after having been hit by a car or truck.
Overview:
- Common name: Western box turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Terrapene (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Terrapene ornata
- Average size : Approximately 8 to 10 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of North America, not threatened or endangered.
36. Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)
The Ouachita map turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the United States where they can be found in Arkansas and Oklahoma; they prefer to spend most of their time in stagnant lakes, ponds, swamps, creeks and rivers. The Ouachita map turtle is one of the smallest turtles in the United States, generally they are between 4.5 to 6 inches in length. This turtle has a shell that is black, gray or brown in color with yellow spots on it; there are two distinct color phases of this turtle one has yellow lines running down its sides while the other has no such lines.
Overview:
- Common name: Ouachita map turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Graptemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Graptemys ouachitensis
- Average size : Approximately 12 to 16 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of North America, not threatened or endangered.
37. Galápagos Tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)
The Galápagos tortoise is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Galápagos Islands where they can be found in the island’s brackish lagoons, intertidal zones and salt flats. Galapagos tortoises can live up to 70 years in the wild and can weigh around 25 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is brown, black or gray in color while the color of its carapace varies between greys and silver with dark crossbands also running down it.
Overview:
- Common name: Galápagos tortoise
- Family: Chelidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Chelonoidis (family of turtles)
- trinomial name: Chelonoidis nigra
- Average size : Approximately 9 to 12 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 60 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 60 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Central America, not threatened or endangered.
38. Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
The pig-nosed turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Solomon Islands; they can be found in the country’s rain forests, lakes and streams where they spend most of their time. The pig-nosed turtle can grow to be up to 3.5 inches in length and can weigh up to 4 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is brown, yellow or white in color and they have black spots on their back, neck, head and tail.
Overview:
- Common name: pig-nosed turtle
- Family: Chelidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Carettochelys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Carettochelys insculpta
- Average size : Approximately 10 to 14 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of North Australia and Southern New Guinea, endangered.
39. Painted Terrapin Turtle
The Painted Terrapin is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Borneo Islands; they can be found in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia where they spend most of their time. The Painted Terrapin can grow to be up to 10 inches in length and can weigh up to 10 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is usually brown or yellow in color with yellow or red spots on it. The white lines running down its shell are not always clearly defined but tend to be very regular.
Overview:
- Common name: Painted terrapin [Batagur borneoensis]
- Family: Geoemydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Batagur (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Batagur borneoensis
- Average size : Approximately 14 to 16 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia and India, not threatened or endangered.
40. Golden Coin Turtle (Cuora trifasciata)
The golden coin turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the far east in China and Korea where they can be found in fresh or brackish waters. The golden coin turtle can grow to be up to 5.5 inches in length and can weigh up to 10 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is brown, black or grey in color with yellow spots on its back, legs and neck.
Overview:
- Common name: Golden coin turtle
- Family: Geoemydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Cuora (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Cuora trifasciata
- Average size : Approximately 12 to 16 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout Asia, critically endangered.
41. Barbour’s Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri)
The Barbour’s map turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the United States where they can be found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee; they prefer to spend most of their time in swamps, rivers and creeks. The Barbour’s map turtle can grow to be up to 7 inches in length and can weigh up to 3 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is dark brown in color with large yellowish-orange spots on it.
Overview:
- Common name: Barbour’s map turtle
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Graptemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Graptemys barbouri
- Average size : Approximately 9 to 12 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of North America
42. Giant Asian pond turtle (Heosemys grandis)
The giant Asian pond turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Indo-china region; they can be found in Cambodia, China (Guangxi, Hong Kong, Hainan, Hunan), India (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam), Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra), Laos, Malaysia (Malaya), Myanmar ( Burma), Philippines (Mindanao) and Vietnam where they prefer to live in ponds and lakes; they also like to come on land at night time to lay their eggs in the ground.
Overview:
- Common name: Giant Asian pond turtle
- Family: Geoemydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Heosemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Heosemys grandis
- Average size : Approximately 18 to 24 inches long.
- life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Asia and India, not threatened or endangered.
43. Black Marsh turtle
The Black Marsh turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle which is native to the Indian Ocean and can be found in Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka where they prefer to live in muddy or sandy beaches and tidal rivers.The Black Marsh turtle can grow to be up to 10 inches in length and can weigh up to 18 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is dark black in color with black spots on it and a large yellow patch on its bottom.
Overview:
- Common name: Black Marsh turtle
- Family: Melanidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Siebenrockiella (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Siebenrockiella crassicollis
- Average size : Approximately 25 inches long.
- Life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Africa, not threatened or endangered.
44. Florida Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys Nelsoni)
The Florida Red-bellied cooter is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the United States where they can be found in Florida and Georgia where they prefer to live in freshwater rivers and lakes. The Florida Red-bellied cooter can grow to be up to 14 inches in length and can weigh up to 5 pounds. This turtle has a shell that is dark olive skin-colored in color with dark spots on it and there is a pattern on its belly where the skin is red colored; its feet are brown and the black tips of the claws stick out.
Overview:
- Common name: Florida Red-bellied Cooter
- Family: Emydidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Pseudemys (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Pseudemys nelsoni
- Average size : Approximately 16 inches long.
- Life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of North America, not threatened or endangered.
45. Zambezi flapshell turtle (Cycloderma Frenatum)
The Zambezi flapshell turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle native to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo where they can be found in freshwater rivers, lakes and slow-moving water streams. This turtle has a shell that is very round and flattened in shape, the upper side of the shell is olive colored on the top and has dots all over it while the bottom of its shell is black in color with white spots on it; its feet are yellow or orange colored.
Overview:
- Common name: Zambezi flapshell turtle
- Family: Chelidae (family of turtles)
- Genus: Cycloderma (family of turtles)
- Binomial name: Cycloderma frenatum
- Average size : Approximately 1 to 2 feet long.
- Life span : they can live up to 50 years in the wild; in captivity they can live longer than 50 years.
- Type: Semi-aquatic
- Popular locations: Found throughout much of Central Africa, not threatened or endangered.
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