Montana is home to only 3 native species of turtles, namely the common snapping turtle, western painted turtle, and western spiny softshell. Despite being one of the largest states in the US, Montana state is one of the colder northwestern states. And this makes it an unsuitable habitat for most turtle species. That said, these…

South Carolina is home to 20 species of turtles. 14 of these turtles are native to the state and include the snapping turtles, softshells, chicken turtles, painted turtles, diamondback terrapins, Cooter turtles, mud turtles, musk turtles, and more. Moreover, the state is home to one endangered species of tortoises—the gopher tortoise! On top of all…

Idaho is home to ONLY ONE native turtle species: The Painted Turtle. This turtle species gets its name from the bright yellow and red markings on its shell which appear as if they’ve been painted on it. This turtle is widespread across the states and can be found in areas in Idaho such as Boise,…

Arkansas, the land of diamonds, boasts up to 16 different species of turtles, including terrestrial and aquatic species. It is home to species like snapping turtles (including the biggest of all—the alligator snapping turtle!), map turtles, mud and musk turtles, and softshell turtles. What’s more, it is home to two terrestrial species of turtles, namely…

Ohio is home to 12 turtle species, all of which are native to the state. These include the snapping, painted, softshells, Wood, Spotted, Blanding’s, Musk, Map, and box turtles. Most of these turtles are also freshwater and spend most of their time in the water. The only exception is the eastern box turtle which spends…

New York is home to 20 species of turtles. Only 12 of them are native to the Empire State and range from the aquatic common snapping turtles (the NY official state reptile), to the semi-aquatic Bog and Spotted turtles, to the terrestrial eastern box turtles. The state is also home to some non-native turtle species…

Oregon is home to 8 species of turtles. But ONLY two of these turtles are truly native to the state and include the western pond turtle and western painted turtle. These native species are mostly spotted in the Portland area and the Oregon Conservation Strategy highlights them as Special Case—meaning their populations are declining and…

Georgia has up to 29 species of turtles.  Freshwater turtles make up the largest group of these turtles and range from snapping turtles to painted turtles, map turtles, river Cooter, pond turtles, mud turtles, and musk turtles. Sea turtles are also present in Georgia and include loggerhead, hawksbill, green sea, and Kemp ridley sea turtles….

Kansas is home to 14 species of turtles. These include snapping turtles, mud turtles, pond sliders, box turtles, musk turtles, painted turtles, and softshell turtles. The varying climate in the state of Kansas—from semi-arid climate to the south, humid continental climate to the east, and humid subtropical climate to the south—creates the perfect living conditions…

Vermont is home to 7 native species of turtles ranging from snapping turtles to painted turtles, spiny softshells, and the rare spotted and wood turtles. Painted turtles and common snapping turtles are the most widespread of all the turtles inhabiting Vermont while the other species have been listed by Vermont’s Wildlife Division as of special…