Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines characterized by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield.
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines characterized by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield.
Common Musk Turtles (Stinkpots) can be found in any still or slow-moving water source.
These are small turtles, which seldom exceed 4 1/5 inches in length. A common Musk can be distinguished by the facial stripes and a very narrow shell on the underside. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.
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Common Musk Turtles (Stinkpots) can be found in any still or slow-moving water source.
These are small turtles, which seldom exceed 4 1/5 inches in length. A common Musk can be distinguished by the facial stripes and a very narrow shell on the underside. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.
The Common Snapping Turtle has a range covering the Eastern USA.
They get up to 18" shell length and can weigh as much as 45 lbs. They are more aggressive than the Alligator Snapper and have a much longer reach.
The Common Snapping Turtle has a range covering the Eastern USA.
They get up to 18" shell length and can weigh as much as 45 lbs. They are more aggressive than the Alligator Snapper and have a much longer reach.
Eastern Mud Turtles are found throughout Texas but are somewhat rare in the eastern-third of the state.
These are aquatic turtles that like to bask but also routinely leave the water and travel great distances to reach other water sources and can be found burrowed below ground debris along the way. Water sources include ponds, lakes, ditches, and marshes. Reaching a size of 4 to 6 inches, it is named for the yellow-colored areas found on its throat, head, and on the sides of its neck. They have small barbels on the chin and underside of the neck. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.
Eastern Mud Turtles are found throughout Texas but are somewhat rare in the eastern-third of the state.
These are aquatic turtles that like to bask but also routinely leave the water and travel great distances to reach other water sources and can be found burrowed below ground debris along the way. Water sources include ponds, lakes, ditches, and marshes. Reaching a size of 4 to 6 inches, it is named for the yellow-colored areas found on its throat, head, and on the sides of its neck. They have small barbels on the chin and underside of the neck. They feed on tadpoles, worms, crustaceans, and insects.
Mississippi Map Turtles inhabit a wide range of rivers, heavily vegetated lakes, large ponds, and streams.
Females can reach a length of 10 inches while the males are half this size. They have a black keel on their back and a yellow crescent-shaped blotch behind the eye. This is a strong swimmer who likes to bask but will quickly dive into the water when approached. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion, and vegetation.
Mississippi Map Turtles inhabit a wide range of rivers, heavily vegetated lakes, large ponds, and streams.
Females can reach a length of 10 inches while the males are half this size. They have a black keel on their back and a yellow crescent-shaped blotch behind the eye. This is a strong swimmer who likes to bask but will quickly dive into the water when approached. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion, and vegetation.
Ornate Box Turtles are found in semi-arid and arid grasslands and open brush where they often burrow.
Adults rarely exceed 5 inches in length. These turtles are very similar to the Three-toed Box turtles in appearance. The distinguishing character of the Ornate Box Turtles is 5 - 9 yellow radiating lines on the main scutes on the top of the shell.
Ornate Box Turtles are found in semi-arid and arid grasslands and open brush where they often burrow.
Adults rarely exceed 5 inches in length. These turtles are very similar to the Three-toed Box turtles in appearance. The distinguishing character of the Ornate Box Turtles is 5 - 9 yellow radiating lines on the main scutes on the top of the shell.
Red-eared Sliders range across all of Texas except for the far-western region.
They are easily identified by the red stripe found just behind the eye. Females can grow to be over 1 foot in length but males are smaller. These turtles are aquatic and feed mostly on plants as adults. While they very seldom venture out on land, they can frequently be seen basking on logs in the sunshine.
Red-eared Sliders range across all of Texas except for the far-western region.
They are easily identified by the red stripe found just behind the eye. Females can grow to be over 1 foot in length but males are smaller. These turtles are aquatic and feed mostly on plants as adults. While they very seldom venture out on land, they can frequently be seen basking on logs in the sunshine.
Texas Map Turtles are only found in the Colorado River drainage on the Edwards Plateau.
This is a smaller map turtle with females only attaining a length of 7 1/2 inches. The keel on this map turtle is not black and there is a J-shaped head marking. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion, and vegetation
Texas Map Turtles are only found in the Colorado River drainage on the Edwards Plateau.
This is a smaller map turtle with females only attaining a length of 7 1/2 inches. The keel on this map turtle is not black and there is a J-shaped head marking. They feed on mollusks, insects, carrion, and vegetation
The Texas River Cooter is a basking turtle that can be found in slow-moving rivers and permanent bodies of water.
Females can grow to be 16 inches in length with the males attaining 9 inches. The rear edge of the top shell is serrated. They do not have a keel and do not have a red stripe on the head. Texas River Cooters are shy and quickly dive into the water when disturbed.
The Texas River Cooter is a basking turtle that can be found in slow-moving rivers and permanent bodies of water.
Females can grow to be 16 inches in length with the males attaining 9 inches. The rear edge of the top shell is serrated. They do not have a keel and do not have a red stripe on the head. Texas River Cooters are shy and quickly dive into the water when disturbed.
Texas Spiny Softshell Turtles are primarily found in rivers but they can also be found in lakes and ponds.
Females can occasionally grow to be 16 inches in length. The males are half the size of the females. These softshells are covered with sandpaper-like skin and have anterior spines. They are capable of swimming after and catching fish. These are shy turtles, which will quickly disappear if disturbed. If handled, these turtles will scratch and bite.
Texas Spiny Softshell Turtles are primarily found in rivers but they can also be found in lakes and ponds.
Females can occasionally grow to be 16 inches in length. The males are half the size of the females. These softshells are covered with sandpaper-like skin and have anterior spines. They are capable of swimming after and catching fish. These are shy turtles, which will quickly disappear if disturbed. If handled, these turtles will scratch and bite.
The Three-Toed Box Turtle is a terrestrial turtle found in open woodland, marshes and other damp areas where they commonly burrow.
They can be found soaking in shallow water but are not good swimmers and will become distressed if forced into deeper water. Males are larger growing to 6 1/4 inches in length. Females grow to 4 - 5 inches. These high-domed turtles have a hinge on the underside of their shell that allows them to "close" their shell. While the shell is generally brown, the face and forelimbs may be yellow to orange to red. These land turtles feed on insects and carrion becoming more vegetarian as they age.
The Three-Toed Box Turtle is a terrestrial turtle found in open woodland, marshes and other damp areas where they commonly burrow.
They can be found soaking in shallow water but are not good swimmers and will become distressed if forced into deeper water. Males are larger growing to 6 1/4 inches in length. Females grow to 4 - 5 inches. These high-domed turtles have a hinge on the underside of their shell that allows them to "close" their shell. While the shell is generally brown, the face and forelimbs may be yellow to orange to red. These land turtles feed on insects and carrion becoming more vegetarian as they age.
