Types of Turtles

When comparing the popularity of different types of reptiles, it is difficult to conclude anything other than, turtles rule.

Land Turtles Aldabra Tortoise Blanding's Turtle Burmese Brown Tortoise Chicken Turtle Desert Box Turtle Eastern River Cooter Gulf Coast Box Turtle Pig-nosed Turtle Red-eared Slider Snake-necked Turtle Vietnamese Leaf Turtle Western Pond Turtle Sea Turtles Flatback Green Sea Turtle Hawksbill Kemp's Ridley Leatherback Loggehead Sea Turtle Olive Ridley

Reptile enthusiasts may justifiably extol the virtues of all reptile species. However, reptile enthusiasm wanes when you move over to the average Joe or June enthusiasm scale.

Consider the following scenario. Joe, June and the family decide to enjoy a sunny summer afternoon canoeing down the local river or around the local pond.

Upon arriving at the first bend, they see a herd of turtles basking on a log. When they reach the second bend, which happens to be lined with overhanging branches, they discover that the neighborhood snake or lizard decided to drop in for the ride.

After they partially or totally flip the canoe trying to rid it of the uninvited guest(s) and return home, which bend of reptiles will they remember most fondly?

Turtles are members of the Order Testudines. They are reptiles with shells and found world wide.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) documented the status of 205 species around the world in their 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. Their aggregate numbers show that 62.9% (129 of the 205 species) are either critically endangered, endangered or vunerable.

7 Extinct
1 Extinct in the Wild
26 Critically Endangered
45 Endangered
58 Vulnerable
1 Lower Risk/Conservation Dependent
41 Near Threatened
12 Data Deficient
14 Least Concern

Fifty-five turtle species make their home in the United States, with the majority of species found in the Southeastern part of the country. They generally fit into three categories: fresh water turtles, land turtles (tortoises) or marine turtles (sea turtles).

Forty-five of the fifty-five turtle species in the United States fit into one of the four fresh water turtle families. Accurate data on aggregate species populations is somewhat dated, however, a report by the United States Geological Survey shows overall declining populations for most species.

• The Family Emydidae contains the largest number of fresh water turtle species such as box turtles, pond turtles and river turtles. All twelve species of Map Turtles were recently listed in CITES Appendix III, meaning cross border trade in these species requires a permit.
• Family Chelydridae - The Alligator and Common Snapping Turtles represent this species in the United States. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is also listed on CITES Appendix III.
• Family Kinosternidae - Mud and Musk Turtles
• Family Trionychidae - Three species of softshell turtles in United States - Smooth Softshell, Spiny Softshell and Florida Softshell

There are four species of tortoises in the United States - Desert Tortoise, Texas Tortoise, Gopher Tortoise and Bolson Tortoise.

Information about the seven species of marine or sea turtles that swim the world's oceans can be found by clicking on a link in the box on the right.

Additional Information
Turtle Survival Alliance
Research and conservation of freshwater turtle and tortoise species.

© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels