Identification Florida Land Turtles

Often they are crossing the roads.
Identification florida land turtles. The name gopher tortoise is a reference to the pocket gopher a small mammal which also creates lengthy burrows. If you have pet turtles knowing how to identify a turtle is a must. From time to time we humans come in contact with turtles. If you must intervene simply help the turtle get to its destination by gently.
Four species of mud turtles and musk turtles can also be found in most areas of florida. Florida land turtles learn about florida land turtles including florida gopher totoise florida tortoises box turtles florida box turtle gulf coast box turtle. 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. Several varieties of box turtle as well as the gopher tortoise.
To learn more about each type of turtle just click on the image or title and you will be taken to a more in depth overview of the turtle and most have guides on water turtle care as well as box turtle care. More than 30 species of turtle call florida home. Follow these steps to identify a turtle. For land turtle care check out our tortoise species page.
How aquatic turtles hibernate how land turtles hibernate how sea turtles. They are best known as small less than six inch shells nondescript turtles. Remaining number with state bridge inframarginal scute number 4 2 3 1 bridge inguinal scutes developed absent 1 poorly 1 well 1 bridge width 1 2 or more of abdominal shield 1. Some swim in the temperate ocean and gulf waters surrounding the state while others live their lives on land.
A few species bridge the gap by splitting their time between lakes or ponds and dry land. More than 30 species of turtle call florida home and while the majority are primarily aquatic a handful go about their business mostly on land. Examples include greek tortoises russian tortoises indian star tortoises and red footed tortoises. To best identify the turtle species strictly follow the steps.
Florida s pleasant climate and warm waters offers refuge for several types of turtles. While the majority are primarily aquatic several varieties live on the land such as box turtles and gopher tortoises. Florida is home to 34 turtle species. Checklist of florida turtles click on thumbnails for a larger view apalone ferox schneider 1783 florida softshell.
In addition to size as a key identification trait the stripes along the shell of the striped mud turtle represents a good field identification clue.