State: Non-Game Species in Need of Management (SCDNR FAQ); state and federally listed as threatened (SREL)
What the sources say
Habitat: The prefer cool, clear, shallow, slow-moving, muddy bottomed streams that run through meadows, in swamps, and in sphagnum bogs (as their name suggests). (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
Habitat: This species may be found in a variety of heavily-vegetated aquatic habitats but is generally absent from large permanent ponds and reservoirs. (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
Habitat: Common musk turtles occur throughout the eastern U.S. in a variety of aquatic habitats. (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
Florida Cooters are found throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain and prefer permanent waters with soft sandy bottoms and abundant vegetation, such as ponds, lakes … University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Ranging throughout Florida, southern Georgia and southeastern South Carolina, the Florida softshell turtle can be found in lakes, streams, canals, and roadside ditches. University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
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.
Habitat: They prefer aquatic habitats with vegetation and muddy bottoms including farm ponds, slow-moving rivers and oxbow lakes, freshwater marshes and beaver ponds. (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
The spiny softshell turtle occurs from South Carolina, west to Texas and north up the Missouri River system to Montana and the Dakotas, then east to western New York. University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
What the sources say
Habitat: Apalone spinifera are most common in rivers and streams with muddy or sandy bottoms, but are also found in large lakes and reservoirs. (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
In our area, Spotted Turtles are found throughout the Coastal Plain, including several barrier islands, but are found in spotty populations and are generally fairly … University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Conservation
State: Non-Game Species in Need of Management (SCDNR FAQ)
What the sources say
Range: In our area, Spotted Turtles are found throughout the Coastal Plain, including several barrier islands, but are found in spotty populations and are generally fairly uncommon.
Habitat: Favored habitats are shallow aquatic habitats, often with abundant vegetation, including ditches, Carolina Bays, bogs, and cypress swamps. (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
Adult leatherbacks differ from all other sea turtles, including the loggerhead, in their large size, spindle-shaped body and leathery shell without scales.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When turtles are active in South Carolina
Records of turtles in South Carolina peak in March to June and September. They show when people record turtles, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
869 records of turtles in South Carolina by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
The species list comes from Turtles of South Carolina and Georgia (University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information), undated web page; retrieved 2026-11-03). 22 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
Reptiles and Amphibians of SC. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. page footer 2020; checked November 3, 2026.
Turtles of South Carolina and Georgia. University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Florida Cooter (Pseudemys floridana). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Florida Softshell (Apalone ferox). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Sea Science: Sea Turtles. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“…can be found in South Carolina's near shore waters April through November or nesting on our beaches from May through October.”
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Striped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon baurii). University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (linked by SCDNR as its species information). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
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