The
Eastern Mud Turtle
Eastern Mud Turtles are found in all of the Coastal Plains and parts of the Piedmont in North Carolina. This is a small turtle with a smooth, unmarked top shell, which ranges in coloration from olive to dark brown. The bottom of the shell is double-hinged and can be yellow or brown. Adults range from 3 to 5 inches in top shell length. Eastern Mud Turtles are semi-aquatic. They are not strong swimmers and usually crawl along the bottom. They are more terrestrial than their relatives, the musk turtles, and hibernate in forests buried an inch or two below the surface. Eastern Mud Turtles prefer shallow and sluggish bodies of water. They are able to tolerate brackish water and are sometimes encountered in salt marshes. Eastern mud turtles are omnivorous. They are known to feed on crustaceans (such as crayfish), mollusks, aquatic insects, and seeds. Mud turtles lay between 2 and 5 eggs during June or July. Eastern Mud Turtle eggs are hard shelled and do not absorb water like most turtle eggs. The young hatch in August or September. Hatchling Mud Turtles are often mistaken for Snapping Turtles. An easy way to tell the two apart is a mud turtle has a larger, hinged bottom shell and snapping turtle hatchlings have a very small bottom shell and a long tail.
Eastern Mud Turtles are found in all of the Coastal Plains and parts of the Piedmont in North Carolina. This is a small turtle with a smooth, unmarked top shell, which ranges in coloration from olive to dark brown. The bottom of the shell is double-hinged and can be yellow or brown. Adults range from 3 to 5 inches in top shell length. Eastern Mud Turtles are semi-aquatic. They are not strong swimmers and usually crawl along the bottom. They are more terrestrial than their relatives, the musk turtles, and hibernate in forests buried an inch or two below the surface. Eastern Mud Turtles prefer shallow and sluggish bodies of water. They are able to tolerate brackish water and are sometimes encountered in salt marshes. Eastern mud turtles are omnivorous. They are known to feed on crustaceans (such as crayfish), mollusks, aquatic insects, and seeds. Mud turtles lay between 2 and 5 eggs during June or July. Eastern Mud Turtle eggs are hard shelled and do not absorb water like most turtle eggs. The young hatch in August or September. Hatchling Mud Turtles are often mistaken for Snapping Turtles. An easy way to tell the two apart is a mud turtle has a larger, hinged bottom shell and snapping turtle hatchlings have a very small bottom shell and a long tail.
The Florida Cooter
The Florida Cooter is found throughout parts of the Piedmont and the Coastal Plains. It is a large turtle with very similar physical characteristics to the River Cooter. These include a dark top shell with a light colored bottom, striped head and neck, and a concentrically patterned shell. On younger Florida Cooters concentric markings on its shell are usually visible.
Adults are between 9 and 13 inches in top shell length. Basking is the most prominent behavior of the Florida Cooter. Florida Cooters are normally found in still water, such as wetlands, marshes, and ponds. The Florida Cooter is mostly herbivorous and feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation.
The clutches of the Florida Cooter contain between 12 and 20 eggs and are laid during early summer. The Florida Cooter has been known to hybridize with the River Cooter, and to a lesser extent, the Redbelly Turtle.
River Turtles
River turtles are found in the Piedmont and some parts of the Coastal Plains. This turtle can be distinguished from the slider by its significantly more flattened and flared shell and by its flat chin (which is usually rounded in sliders). Also, the bottom of the shell is usually heavily marked with black and yellow, and head markings are usually less prominent than in the slider. Adults are between 9 and 13 inches length on their top shells. River Cooters are herbivorous and feed upon aquatic plants. River Cooters are conspicuous basking turtles. They bask on exposed logs and rocks, and quickly enter the water when approached. River Cooters are found in rivers and large streams throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. In eastern North Carolina along the coast, it has been found that River Cooters have been known to hybridize with Florida Cooters.
River turtles are found in the Piedmont and some parts of the Coastal Plains. This turtle can be distinguished from the slider by its significantly more flattened and flared shell and by its flat chin (which is usually rounded in sliders). Also, the bottom of the shell is usually heavily marked with black and yellow, and head markings are usually less prominent than in the slider. Adults are between 9 and 13 inches length on their top shells. River Cooters are herbivorous and feed upon aquatic plants. River Cooters are conspicuous basking turtles. They bask on exposed logs and rocks, and quickly enter the water when approached. River Cooters are found in rivers and large streams throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. In eastern North Carolina along the coast, it has been found that River Cooters have been known to hybridize with Florida Cooters.
The
Striped Mud Turtle
Striped Mud Turtles are found in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina and is a small turtle that, in most of its range, has three light stripes down the length of its shell, but in North Carolina, these stripes are absent. They can be difficult to distinguish from Eastern Mud Turtles, but they typically have light stripes from their eyes to the tips of their noses. The top shell is smooth, domed and usually dark brown in coloration. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer, thicker tails. Adults have a top shell length between 3 and 4 inches. Striped Mud Turtles are semi-aquatic, but spend large parts of the year buried beneath soil and ground litter. They rarely bask out of the water. Their habitats are varied and includes swamps, drainage canals, ponds, wetlands, streams and temporary pools. They are generally not found in moving water. This is an omnivorous species which feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates.
Striped Mud Turtles are found in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina and is a small turtle that, in most of its range, has three light stripes down the length of its shell, but in North Carolina, these stripes are absent. They can be difficult to distinguish from Eastern Mud Turtles, but they typically have light stripes from their eyes to the tips of their noses. The top shell is smooth, domed and usually dark brown in coloration. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer, thicker tails. Adults have a top shell length between 3 and 4 inches. Striped Mud Turtles are semi-aquatic, but spend large parts of the year buried beneath soil and ground litter. They rarely bask out of the water. Their habitats are varied and includes swamps, drainage canals, ponds, wetlands, streams and temporary pools. They are generally not found in moving water. This is an omnivorous species which feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates.
The
Redbelly Turtle
Redbelly Turtles are found only in the northern areas of the Coastal Plains in North Carolina. The top shell is often brown or black with vertical yellow and orange markings, while the bottom of the shell is orange to reddish. Its skin is black with yellowish stripes. Redbelly turtles average 10-12.5 inches in top shell length. This is a large basking turtle, which basks on partially submerged stumps, logs, and other objects. In the northern Coastal Plains of North Carolina, this species is found in canals, streams, lakes, and other bodies of still and slow moving water. The Redbelly Turtle is mainly herbivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants.
Redbelly Turtles are found only in the northern areas of the Coastal Plains in North Carolina. The top shell is often brown or black with vertical yellow and orange markings, while the bottom of the shell is orange to reddish. Its skin is black with yellowish stripes. Redbelly turtles average 10-12.5 inches in top shell length. This is a large basking turtle, which basks on partially submerged stumps, logs, and other objects. In the northern Coastal Plains of North Carolina, this species is found in canals, streams, lakes, and other bodies of still and slow moving water. The Redbelly Turtle is mainly herbivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants.
Diamondback Terrapins
Diamondback Terrapins are found only in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They are most easily identified by the concentric ridges on the top of it’s shell and dark spots or streaks on the skin. Females are usually larger than males and measure 6 to 9 inches in top shell length while males measure 4 to 5.5 inches. Diamondback Terrapins are mostly carnivorous. They have been known to eat both snails and crabs. Vegetation that has been found in their stomachs may have been ingested accidentally. These aquatic turtles are very good swimmers. They frequently sunbathe on mudflats during the day. They have been known to burrow in mud at low tide and at night. This species primarily inhabits coastal marshes and tidal creeks. While it can tolerate freshwater, it is primarily found in brackish or salt water.
Diamondback Terrapins are found only in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They are most easily identified by the concentric ridges on the top of it’s shell and dark spots or streaks on the skin. Females are usually larger than males and measure 6 to 9 inches in top shell length while males measure 4 to 5.5 inches. Diamondback Terrapins are mostly carnivorous. They have been known to eat both snails and crabs. Vegetation that has been found in their stomachs may have been ingested accidentally. These aquatic turtles are very good swimmers. They frequently sunbathe on mudflats during the day. They have been known to burrow in mud at low tide and at night. This species primarily inhabits coastal marshes and tidal creeks. While it can tolerate freshwater, it is primarily found in brackish or salt water.
Yellowbelly
Sliders
Yellowbelly Sliders are found mostly in the Coastal Plains. These turtles have a yellow spot behind their eye which is the most recognizable characteristic for identification. Juvenile turtles have vivid yellow markings. Vertical yellow bands streak the top shell, while the bottom of the shell is primarily yellow. Older turtles lose these patterns and they become darker and more difficult to identify. Sliders are also distinguishable from other turtles by their rounded lower jaw. Other groups of turtles have flat jaws. In addition, sliders are often more highly domed than others. Sliders range from 5 to 12 inches in top shell length. This species is one of the most conspicuous basking turtles throughout its range. They are wary baskers and slide into the water whenever disturbed. Yellowbelly Sliders are not very particular about the aquatic habitats they occupy, but prefer rivers, ditches, lakes, and ponds.
Yellowbelly Sliders are found mostly in the Coastal Plains. These turtles have a yellow spot behind their eye which is the most recognizable characteristic for identification. Juvenile turtles have vivid yellow markings. Vertical yellow bands streak the top shell, while the bottom of the shell is primarily yellow. Older turtles lose these patterns and they become darker and more difficult to identify. Sliders are also distinguishable from other turtles by their rounded lower jaw. Other groups of turtles have flat jaws. In addition, sliders are often more highly domed than others. Sliders range from 5 to 12 inches in top shell length. This species is one of the most conspicuous basking turtles throughout its range. They are wary baskers and slide into the water whenever disturbed. Yellowbelly Sliders are not very particular about the aquatic habitats they occupy, but prefer rivers, ditches, lakes, and ponds.
Chicken
Turtle
Chicken turtles are found in various parts of the Coastal Plains. They are characterized by the netlike patterns on the top shell and its long and striped neck. Vertical stripes run down the hind legs of these turtles. The top shell is much longer than it is wide and ranges from olive to black in coloration. The plastron is hingeless and colored yellow/orange. Females are usually larger than males. It ranges from 4 to 9 inches in top shell length. Chicken turtles are probably omnivorous but very little is known about their diet. They have been observed eating tadpoles and crayfish. Despite their usual aquatic nature, chicken turtles can often be seen walking around on land. Chicken turtles appear to be very tolerant of some types of pollution. In North Carolina, they have been observed living in sewage treatment ponds. Chicken turtles can be found in canals, marshes, cypress, ponds, and other bodies of still or sluggish water. They are frequently found in the sandhills.
Chicken turtles are found in various parts of the Coastal Plains. They are characterized by the netlike patterns on the top shell and its long and striped neck. Vertical stripes run down the hind legs of these turtles. The top shell is much longer than it is wide and ranges from olive to black in coloration. The plastron is hingeless and colored yellow/orange. Females are usually larger than males. It ranges from 4 to 9 inches in top shell length. Chicken turtles are probably omnivorous but very little is known about their diet. They have been observed eating tadpoles and crayfish. Despite their usual aquatic nature, chicken turtles can often be seen walking around on land. Chicken turtles appear to be very tolerant of some types of pollution. In North Carolina, they have been observed living in sewage treatment ponds. Chicken turtles can be found in canals, marshes, cypress, ponds, and other bodies of still or sluggish water. They are frequently found in the sandhills.
The
Spotted Turtle
The Spotted turtle is found in the Coastal Region of North Carolina. It has a dark, nearly black, shell and body covered with small yellow spots. The benefit of having spots is unknown as some adults may have only a few spots and some have over one-hundred. The hingeless plastron is yellowish to pinkish and covered with large brown/black blotches. Adults range from 3.5 to 4.5 inches in top shell length. Spotted turtles are omnivorous. They feed primarily on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates, but will also eat invertebrates. Spotted turtles live in marshes, wet pastures, Carolina bays, ditches, canals, temporary pools, and small streams. They prefer still slow-moving, shallow water with lots of aquatic vegetation. They are most easily observed in the spring when they spend more time basking in the sun. While they spend most of their time in the water, spotted turtles can be encountered in nearby terrestrial habitats and are frequently killed by motor vehicles when crossing roads.
The Spotted turtle is found in the Coastal Region of North Carolina. It has a dark, nearly black, shell and body covered with small yellow spots. The benefit of having spots is unknown as some adults may have only a few spots and some have over one-hundred. The hingeless plastron is yellowish to pinkish and covered with large brown/black blotches. Adults range from 3.5 to 4.5 inches in top shell length. Spotted turtles are omnivorous. They feed primarily on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates, but will also eat invertebrates. Spotted turtles live in marshes, wet pastures, Carolina bays, ditches, canals, temporary pools, and small streams. They prefer still slow-moving, shallow water with lots of aquatic vegetation. They are most easily observed in the spring when they spend more time basking in the sun. While they spend most of their time in the water, spotted turtles can be encountered in nearby terrestrial habitats and are frequently killed by motor vehicles when crossing roads.
Leatherback TurtlesLeatherback turtles are a federally endangered species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Although numbers of nesting females has increased in recent years on some protected beaches, there is a trend of overall decline. Loss of nesting beaches humans are prime causes of the population decreases in North Carolina and they are rarely found.
The Atlantic Hawksbill
In North Carolina, this species has only been found in the open ocean. In more tropical environments, it is commonly found around reefs and estuaries. Once thought to remain in one area for their entire lives, they are now known to migrate long distances. When females lay their eggs, clutch size varies between 53 and 206 eggs. Hawksbills are omnivorous. They consume both marine plants and animals, especially invertebrates. The Hawksbill has very attractive top shell scutes. It is hunted for its shell, which is used to make carved “tortoise shell” items. It is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected by law.
In North Carolina, this species has only been found in the open ocean. In more tropical environments, it is commonly found around reefs and estuaries. Once thought to remain in one area for their entire lives, they are now known to migrate long distances. When females lay their eggs, clutch size varies between 53 and 206 eggs. Hawksbills are omnivorous. They consume both marine plants and animals, especially invertebrates. The Hawksbill has very attractive top shell scutes. It is hunted for its shell, which is used to make carved “tortoise shell” items. It is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected by law.
Atlantic Ridley Turtle
Most Atlantic Ridley's found in North Carolina are in shallow water and high saline sounds. Atlantic Ridleys are carnivorous, feeding primarily on marine invertebrates. Atlantic Ridleys feed and are most active during the beginning of the day, but very little is known about their daily behavior. The Atlantic Ridley is considered an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected under U.S. law. It is considered the most endangered sea turtle in the world.
Most Atlantic Ridley's found in North Carolina are in shallow water and high saline sounds. Atlantic Ridleys are carnivorous, feeding primarily on marine invertebrates. Atlantic Ridleys feed and are most active during the beginning of the day, but very little is known about their daily behavior. The Atlantic Ridley is considered an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected under U.S. law. It is considered the most endangered sea turtle in the world.
Green Turtles
Green turtles are found in the open ocean and estuarine habitats. During summer months they may enter sounds and rivers. Females nest at night and lay several clutches of approximately 150 eggs. Green Turtles are strong swimmers and are known to migrate long distances. Green turtles are omnivorous. Young are primarily carnivorous. Adults are mainly herbivorous, but often eat jellyfish. This species is considered threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and is protected under U.S. law. The primary reason for its decline is overhunting. Both its flesh and eggs are eaten. For this reason, it has been termed the world’s most economically important reptile.
Green turtles are found in the open ocean and estuarine habitats. During summer months they may enter sounds and rivers. Females nest at night and lay several clutches of approximately 150 eggs. Green Turtles are strong swimmers and are known to migrate long distances. Green turtles are omnivorous. Young are primarily carnivorous. Adults are mainly herbivorous, but often eat jellyfish. This species is considered threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and is protected under U.S. law. The primary reason for its decline is overhunting. Both its flesh and eggs are eaten. For this reason, it has been termed the world’s most economically important reptile.
The Loggerhead Turtle
The loggerhead is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected by law. This species regularly nests along the coast of North Carolina. Nesting period extends from the middle of May until late August. Clutches, or nests of eggs, have been found to contain between 47 to 220 eggs, with an average of 120 eggs.
The loggerhead is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is protected by law. This species regularly nests along the coast of North Carolina. Nesting period extends from the middle of May until late August. Clutches, or nests of eggs, have been found to contain between 47 to 220 eggs, with an average of 120 eggs.