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How to Identify Freshwater Turtles

There are 48 separate species of turtles that inhabit North America, including six types of sea turtles that inhabit saltwater realms. The remaining species are freshwater reptiles, with some spending the vast majority of their lives in the water, and others splitting their time between a terrestrial and aquatic environment. Turtles have an upper shell called a carapace, a lower one known as a plastron, with hard, bony plates called scutes making up their shells. To identify the different kinds of freshwater turtles, examine closely such characteristics as their size, shells, markings and other features.

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the freshwater snapping turtles by their large heads, superior size, hooked jaws and long tails. The snapping turtle and the alligator snapper are much larger than any other North American turtle. They feature 12 smaller scutes along each lower side of their carapace, known as marginal scutes. Snappers spend most of their time in the water.
- 2
  Recognize the freshwater mud and musk turtles by their smaller, smooth carapace with an oval shape. Each side of the carapace will possess 11 marginal scutes. Female mud and musk turtles have shorter tails than the males do. These turtles, of which there are nine species in North America, have two sets of musk glands under the edge of their carapace, capable of secreting foul-smelling odors. Mud and musk turtles spend much of their time in the water, but they will bask in the sun on rocks and logs.
- 3
  Identify the freshwater marsh, pond and box turtles from their small to medium sizes and their scutes. These turtles, of which there are 26 species in North America, have 12 marginal scutes located on either side of their carapaces and plastrons composed of six scutes. Look at their hind feet; they are flattened and somewhat elongated. Most are semi-aquatic and they are most often visible when basking in the sun.
- 4
  Identify the three types of softshell turtles in North America by their almost circular shells, notes the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians." The shells are covered with a leathery layer of skin. Each foot has webbing and three claws. The head features a tubular snout and a sharp beak, while the neck is long. These species are in the water most of the time.
- 5
  Narrow down the identification of a freshwater turtle by concentrating on specific features. Look at the coloring and markings on the shell, feet, legs, neck and head. For example, look for the chin and the neck of the Blanding's turtle to be a brilliant yellow shade, with the carapace smooth and black. Its plastron will be yellow, streaked with significant black blotches. The neck is long, with the head flat and its eyes seemingly protruding.

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