Connecticut Turtles: Identification Guide With Pictures

Atlantic Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Where in Connecticut

Of the eight species of sea turtles in the world, four have been documented in Connecticut waters in Long Island Sound. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division

Conservation

State Threatened; federally threatened (2015 list)

Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys kempii

Where in Connecticut

Of the eight species of sea turtles in the world, four have been documented in Connecticut waters in Long Island Sound. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division

Conservation

State Endangered; federally endangered (2015 list)

Bog Turtle

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

Conservation

State Endangered; federally threatened (2015 list)

Common Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Danger to people

“Usually docile in water, snapping turtles can be aggressive during the breeding season when they are found traveling across land.” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division

Size

Upper shell usually 8 to 14 inches, occasionally to nearly 20; usually 10 to 35 lb, occasionally to 75 lb in the wild.

How to recognize it

• Large head, long tail
• Saw-toothed scales on the long tail
• Small, cross-shaped lower shell

Full Common Snapping Turtle guide

Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina carolina

Conservation

State Special Concern (2015 list)

Eastern Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Size

Small: adult shell usually 4 to 7 inches, up to about 10 inches; females are larger than males.

How to recognize it

• Smooth, fairly flat shell with no keel and a smooth (not saw-toothed) rear edge
• Red markings on the marginal shell plates
• Yellow spot behind each eye and yellow stripes on the chin

Full Eastern Painted Turtle guide

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Size

Adults 5 to 6 feet long, 750 to 1,000 pounds (NOAA). Texas Parks and Wildlife cites weights up to 1,300 lb and shells up to 8 feet.

How to recognize it

• The only sea turtle that lacks scales and a hard shell.
• Front flippers proportionally longer than in other sea turtles; rear flippers paddle-shaped.
• Usually a pink spot on top of the head that can identify individuals.

Where in Connecticut

Of the eight species of sea turtles in the world, four have been documented in Connecticut waters in Long Island Sound. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division

Conservation

State Endangered; federally endangered (2015 list)

Full Leatherback Sea Turtle guide

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Size

Adults 2.5 to 3.5 feet long and 200 to 350 pounds (NOAA). NCWRC gives 31 to 45 inches shell length and 170 to 350 pounds; SCDNR says adults can weigh as much as 300 pounds and reach up to four feet in shell length.

How to recognize it

• Very large head with powerful jaws.
• Slightly heart-shaped top shell.
• Two pairs of scales (prefrontal scutes) between the eyes above the nostrils; two claws on each flipper.

Where in Connecticut

Of the eight species of sea turtles in the world, four have been documented in Connecticut waters in Long Island Sound. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division

Conservation

State Threatened; federally threatened (2015 list)

Full Loggerhead Sea Turtle guide

Northern Diamondback Terrapin

Malaclemys terrapin terrapin

Conservation

State Special Concern (2015 list)

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

Nonnative

Spotted Turtle

Clemmys guttata

Conservation

State Special Concern (2015 list)

Wood Turtle

Glyptemys insculpta

Size

14-20 cm (5.5-8 in)

How to recognize it

• Lower shell has no hinge
• Combination of brown shell, orange front limbs and a lower shell solidly fused to the upper shell
• Males: concave lower shell, long thick tail, broader head

Conservation

State Special Concern (2015 list)

Full Wood Turtle guide