Turtle Species: What Are The Different Types Of Turtles?

Turtles thrive in our planet’s calm waters and lush landscapes. The world harbors over 350 distinct turtle species. This wide range is organized within the order of Testudines. This is further subdivided into two suborders: Cryptodira and Pleurodira. This brings the question:

What are the different types of turtles? These shelled reptiles are divided into four groups: sea turtles, freshwater turtles, and semi-aquatic turtles. Each category has distinct characteristics and a diverse range of species, contributing to the rich tapestry of the turtle kingdom.

This article will provide a thorough understanding of the distinguishing characteristics of turtles found in seas, ponds, and on land. 

Different Types of Turtles

As you travel around the world, you’ll come across various turtle species, each with their own set of physical characteristics. We have categorized them according to their habitat: sea turtles, freshwater turtles, and semi-aquatic turtles. Let’s dive into that.

Sea Turtles

Here are the commonly known sea turtle species:

1. Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta)

• Length:  2.5 to 3.5 feet
• Weight: 150 to 250 pounds
• Range: Mostly found in both coastal and oceanic waters in tropical and subtropical regions
• Conservation status: Endangered

Their large heads and powerful jaws distinguish loggerhead turtles. They also lack ridges on their carapace. The carapace is heart-shaped and reddish-brown. It is made up of large, non-overlapping scutes. 

The reddish hue of their shell can vary, and hatchlings frequently have darker shells than adults. Loggerhead turtles are omnivores with a diverse diet that includes crustaceans, mollusks, jellyfish, and fish. 

2. Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

• Length: 3 to 4 feet 
• Weight: 300 to 500 pounds
• Range: Mostly found in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
• Conservation status: Endangered

This turtle gets its name from the green fats found beneath its shell. They also have a carapace with no ridges. Instead, it has four large and non-overlapping lateral scutes and a prefrontal pair of scales. The turtle’s body is flatter than other sea turtles in this family.

The color of the carapace varies from olive to black, with shades of brown and sometimes with stunning patterns. Their plastron’s color changes with where the turtle is found. For example, the Pacific green turtle has either a blue, green, or dark gray plastron, and the Atlantic green turtle plastron is white or yellowish.

3. Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

• Length: 7 feet 
• Weight:  550 to 2,000 pounds
• Range: Mostly found in all oceans
• Conservation status: Vulnerable

The most noticeable feature of the leatherback turtle is its lack of bony plates or scutes on the back. Unlike other sea turtles, the leatherback’s shell is not hard but rather leathery and flexible. 

This unique structure allows them to dive to a depth of over 3,000 feet in search of prey. It also enables them to endure colder waters compared to their counterparts. The shell is dark in color, often appearing black or dark brown. Leatherbacks primarily feed on jellyfish, which they find deep in the ocean. 

4. Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus)

• Length: 3 to 3.5 feet 
• Weight: 220 pounds
• Range: Found in the waters of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia
• Conservation status: Data inadequate to determine a threat category

The flatback turtle lacks the high-domed structure of other sea turtle species. The shell is usually olive or greenish-brown in color. 

Unlike some other sea turtle species, it does not migrate long distances and prefers to stay close to its nesting and foraging grounds. Flatback turtles are omnivorous, eating foods such as jellyfish, soft corals, sea cucumbers, and small invertebrates. 

Here is a video showing more on sea turtles.

5. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

• Length: 2 to 2.5 feet 
• Weight: 75 pounds
• Range: Found in the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic Ocean
• Conservation status: Critically endangered

The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is the smallest of all sea turtle species. The carapace of Kemp’s Ridley is generally characterized by a somewhat circular shape. It is typically olive-gray and has a slightly serrated edge.

Kemp’s Ridley has a distinct appearance due to its relatively triangular-shaped head and slightly hooked beak. They have a unique behavior known as arribadas, in which large groups of females come ashore at the same time to nest. Rancho Nuevo beach in Mexico is the primary nesting location.

6. Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

• Length: 2 to 3 feet
• Weight: 100 to 150 pounds 
• Range: Found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world
• Conservation status: Critically endangered

The carapace of the hawksbill turtle is the most distinctive among sea turtles. It is distinguished by overlapping scutes that give the shell a serrated and jagged appearance. The shell’s color varies, often displaying shades of brown, orange, and red, with a distinctive marbled or mottled pattern.

7. Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

• Length: 2 to 3 feet
• Weight: 80 to 100 pounds 
• Range: Found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and southern Atlantic Oceans
• Conservation status: Vulnerable

The Olive Ridley Turtle gets its name from its olive green carapace. The plastron is a pale yellowish color. Hatchlings are often a darker shade of green, and as they mature, their coloration lightens. They have a small, triangular head with a hooked beak.

Olive Ridley Turtles are omnivores that primarily eat jellyfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Like the Kemp Riley turtles, they engage in synchronized mass nesting events in which thousands of females come ashore to lay their eggs at the same time.

Freshwater Turtles

Freshwater turtle species have successfully adapted to life in various freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. They include:

1. Indian Roofed Turtle (Pangshura tecta)

• Length: 5 to 7 inches
• Weight: 88-263 grams
• Range: Native to South Asia
• Conservation status: Vulnerable

Its unique name is derived from the slightly raised, roof-like appearance of its carapace. The coloration of the carapace ranges from olive to brown, and yellow lines or markings often adorn the skin. This provides an aesthetically pleasing and unique appearance.

2. Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)

• Length: 3 to 4.5 inches
• Weight: 110 grams
• Range: Found  in the eastern United States, particularly in wetlands, bogs, and marshy areas
• Conservation status: Critically endangered

The bog turtle is recognizable by its dark coloration, featuring a rich, mahogany-brown carapace and a distinct orange blotch on each side of its neck. 

The plastron, or lower shell, is generally yellow with dark markings. Despite its small size, the bog turtle has a robust and well-armored appearance.

3. Speckled Padloper Tortoise (Homopus signatus)

• Length: 2.4 to 4.5 inches
• Weight: 5 oz
• Range: Native to South Africa and Namibia
• Conservation status: Endangered

Often cited as the smallest turtle species, the speckled padloper tortoise has a distinctively speckled appearance on their shells. These tortoises are adapted to arid environments and are capable of digging burrows to escape the extreme heat of their surroundings.

4. Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

• Length: 3.5 to 5 inches.
• Weight: 200 – 350 grams
• Range: Found in the eastern parts of North America
• Conservation status: Endangered

The spotted turtle is easily identified by its black shell adorned with bright yellow spots, giving it a striking appearance.

5.  Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

• Length: 8 to 14 inches
• Weight: 35 pounds
• Range: Distributed across a wide range, covering most of North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Conservation status: Least Concern

The common snapping turtle has a robust and muscular build with a dark-colored, rough-textured carapace. Its head is large, often covered with algae or mud, and it features a long tail equipped with saw-toothed ridges.

 The plastron is relatively small, leaving much of the turtle’s body exposed. It is yellowish and may have some dark markings. Snapping turtles are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on fish, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, carrion, and aquatic vegetation.

Semi Aquatic Turtles

These are the most commonly known turtles, as they are the ones that most humans interact with within their homes.

1. Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta)

• Length: 5 to 12 inches
• Weight: 227 grams to 1.1 kilograms
• Range: Found in the southeastern United States to parts of the Midwest.
• Conservation status: Least Concern 

The yellow-bellied slider’s carapace is typically olive to dark green with yellow markings. Its plastron, or lower shell, is yellow, giving the species its name. The skin is marked by yellow stripes, and the head and limbs may have distinct yellow or red markings.

2. Mud Turtle (Genus Kinosternon)

• Length: 4 to 5 inches
• Weight: 88-263 grams
• Range: Native to South Africa and Namibia
• Conservation status: Least Concern

Mud turtles exhibit a domed carapace, or upper shell, and a hinged plastron, or lower shell. The plastron possesses a hinge at the rear, allowing the turtle to close its shell tightly. Their limbs are relatively short, and they often have a pointed snout. 

Their coloration can vary among species, ranging from brown to olive or black. The Eastern Mud Turtle and the Striped Mud Turtle are two common mud turtle species.

3. Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

• Length:  4 to 10 inches
• Weight: 0.5 to 2 pounds
• Range: Found in North America, ranging from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast
• Conservation status: Least Concern 

Painted Turtles are named after their distinctive and intricate shell patterns. The carapace is generally smooth and flat, with a dark background color ranging from olive to black. 

The intricate markings include red or orange stripes on the head, neck, and limbs and yellow and red patterns on the carapace. The plastron (lower shell) is usually yellow with dark markings.

4. Northern Map Turtle

• Length:  3 to 10 inches 
• Weight: 113 to 397 grams
• Range: Found in North America, from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Conservation status: Least Concern 

Northern Map turtles have a relatively flat and elongated carapace, resembling the shape of a topographical map, which gives them their name. They also have webbed feet and a moderately long tail. 

Males often have longer and thicker tails than females. These turtles are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a diet that includes aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. 

Conclusion

The diverse world of turtles includes over 350 species, each with distinct characteristics. They are found in various habitats, from oceans to freshwater habitats and terrestrial environments. 

As stewards of the planet, it is our responsibility to understand, appreciate, and actively participate in the conservation of these fascinating creatures. We can ensure the continued existence of turtles by combining efforts in habitat preservation, trade regulation, community engagement, and ongoing research.