Types of Chicken Turtles
Chicken turtle species are found in the southeast of the united states and have two subspecies namely the eastern chicken turtle and the western chicken turtle.
They get their name “chicken” from the taste of their meat which takes just like chicken meat.
These subspecies are distinguished by their physical appearance. But other than that, they share many characteristics and habits.
The following guide discusses the basics of these subspecies including physical appearance, average adult size, habitat, diet, conservation status, and more.
1. Eastern Chicken turtle
- Scientific name: Deirochelys reticularia reticularia
- Common name: Eastern Chicken Turtle
- Family: Emydidae
- Size: 5 to 10 inches
- Lifespan: 15 to 30 years
- Conservation status: Least Concern
Eastern chicken turtle is a sub-species of chicken turtle and resides in North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, and states.
It has an oval-shaped shell that’s dark brown or black in color. On top of this, its shell bears a relatively subtle pattern usually yellow in color.
The lower side of its shell is yellowish and the skin is dark colored and covered with yellow stripes.
Eastern chicken turtles can be found in canals, marshes, cypress, ponds, and other waterbodies that are still or sluggish. It has also been frequently found in sand hills.
For the diet part, chicken turtles are omnivorous and like eating meat, fish, snails, insects, aquatic vegetation, and land plant matter such as fruits and veggies.
An interesting fact: Chicken turtles are so named because of their meat taste, which was a popular delicacy back in the 1970s!
2. Western Chicken turtle
- Scientific name: Deirochelys reticularia miaria
- Common name: Western Chicken Turtle
- Family: Emydidae
- Size: 5 to 10 inches
- Lifespan: 15 to 30 years
- Conservation status: Least Concern
Western chicken turtle is another subspecies of chicken turtle species, native to the Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas.
This species of turtle is regarded as the most social turtle species you’ll find in the US! They’re known to bask or swim in groups and rarely live or travel alone.
The easiest way to observe them is when they’re basking since most of their activities, including reproduction and feeding, happen underwater.
Western chicken turtle shells are egg-shaped (oval) compared to other turtles and are black or dark brown in color. They also feature subtle yellow patterns. The lower side of the shell is usually yellow and the skin is dark and covered with yellow stripes.
These turtles prefer living in still water areas such as ponds, marshes, and ditches. However, it is also easy to spot them on land when they’re foraging for food or basking in the sun.
Western chicken turtles are omnivorous. They eat meat, fish, snails, insects, aquatic vegetation, and land plant matter.
Conclusion
The two subspecies of chicken turtles found in the US are eastern and western chicken turtles. From the above discussion, it’s clear that the two chicken turtles share many habits including habitat, diet, and so on.
However, they differ in physical appearance which makes it easy to distinguish them. Remember, chicken turtles get their name from the taste of their meat which is commonly sold in the southern markets.
