Florida Freshwater Turtles Identification

Identify if the turtle is a freshwater turtle a tortoise or a sea turtle.
Florida freshwater turtles identification. Softshell turtles may not be taken from the wild from may 1 to july 31. Most freshwater turtles may be taken year round. Emydidae freshwater turtles spotted turtle clemmys guttata. Escambia map turtle graptemys ernsti.
Chicken turtle deirochelys reticularia. In addition collecting freshwater turtle eggs is prohibited. Ample freshwater areas and the temperate climate of the northern part of the state explains much of the florida turtles diversity story. They are large and rare to come across as they spend most of their lives in.
Most freshwater turtles may be taken year round. Possession limits for the following turtle species and their eggs are as follows. Discover life s page about the biology natural history ecology identification and distribution of turtles identification guide discover life. Non native in florida keys apalone mutica le sueur 1827 smooth softshell apalone mutica calvata webb 1959 gulf coast smooth softshell apalone spinifera le sueur 1827 spiny softshell apalone spinifera aspera agassiz 1857 gulf coast spiny softshell.
Softshell turtles may not be taken from the wild from may 1 to july 31. Freshwater turtles can only be taken by hand dip net minnow seine or baited hook. On any given warm day a trip down the suwanee river for example provides tourists with views of dozens of basking water turtles occupying fallen trees and branches around every river bend. There are thirteen families in the order and more than 356 species therefore freshwater turtles are reptiles like snakes and lizards.
Diamondback terrapin malaclemys terrapin. Taking turtles with bucket traps snares or shooting with firearms is prohibited. To best identify the turtle species strictly follow the steps. Florida turtle species.
Both species are threatened by. In addition collecting of freshwater turtle eggs is. Jacksonville university researchers report two of florida s most common freshwater turtles peninsula cooters and red bellied cooters tend to travel. If you have pet turtles knowing how to identify a turtle is a must.
Turtles are classified as members of kingdom animalia phylum chordata class reptilia and order testudines. Wild freshwater turtles live in ponds and lakes and they climb out of the water onto logs or rocks to bask in the warm sun. Head and neck pattern head pattern. Besides freshwater turtles florida is home to the gopher tortoise box.
Taking turtles with bucket traps snares or shooting with firearms is prohibited. If the front limbs are flippers then this is a sea turtle. Florida box turtle terrapene ornata ornata ornate box turtle. Barbour s map turtle graptemys barbouri.
Checklist of florida turtles click on thumbnails for a larger view apalone ferox schneider 1783 florida softshell.