Are you curious about freshwater turtles, or considering keeping one as a pet? If so, you may have already discovered that there are many different species of freshwater turtles, sometimes even difficult to distinguish. This article will provide a detailed introduction to common freshwater turtle species, their main characteristics and distribution, and remind you of the precautions to take when keeping them.
It is important to note that while many freshwater turtles have been kept as common pets, they thrive better in the wild. Furthermore, not all freshwater turtles are suitable for keeping as pets; some species even pose a potential danger due to their extremely strong bite.
Common freshwater turtle species
1. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Also known as the Florida tortoise , it is one of the most common semi-aquatic turtles. Native to the United States and Mexico, they can reach up to 30 centimeters in length. Their carapace is green with yellow markings, and they have prominent red markings on the sides of their head, resembling "red ears," hence their name. Females are generally larger than males.
Red-eared sliders were once the world's most popular pet reptiles, but due to widespread abandonment, they have become an invasive species in many countries, including Spain, threatening local ecosystems. Some countries have banned their trade.
2. Trachemys scripta scripta
Closely related to the red-eared slider, it is also found in the United States and Mexico. They differ in appearance in that they have yellow stripes on their neck, head, and plastron, and their overall color is brownish-gray. They can also reach a length of 30 centimeters.
Yellow-eared sliders also pose an invasion risk, but their ability to spread is slightly weaker than that of red-eared sliders.
3. Ramsey Tortoise (Carettochelys insculpta)
Also known as the pig-nosed turtle , it is native to Australia and New Guinea and is a freshwater soft-shelled turtle. Its appearance is very unique: its head is triangular, and its nostrils are large and round, resembling a pig's snout, hence its name. It is relatively large, reaching up to 60 centimeters in length and weighing up to 25 kilograms.
This turtle lives almost its entire life in the water, only coming ashore to lay its eggs.
4. Cumberland Tortoise (Trachemys scripta troosti)
Found in the eastern United States, they have a bright green carapace with black and yellow stripes. Smaller than red-eared sliders and yellow-eared sliders, they reach a maximum length of about 20 cm. They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, insects, fish, crabs, and tadpoles.
5. Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
They are relatively small, generally around 12 centimeters in length. Their carapace and skin are covered with small yellow spots, with a base color of dark green or bluish-black, making them very conspicuous. Females are slightly larger than males.
They are mainly distributed in the United States and Canada, but their numbers have plummeted due to habitat loss and capture as pets, and they are now listed as an endangered species.
6. Stink turtle (Sternotherus carinatus)
Also known as the musk turtle or humpbacked musk turtle , it is native to the United States. It is relatively small, with a maximum length of 15 cm. Its carapace is arched and is light brown with dark brown markings.
The name "stinky turtle" comes from the fact that they secrete a strong, pungent odor as a defense mechanism when threatened.
Dangerous freshwater turtle species
While most freshwater turtles are gentle in nature, the following species are considered dangerous due to their extremely strong bite force and are not suitable as pets:
1. Mata mata turtle (Chelus fimbriata)
Distributed in the Amazon basin, this animal has a unique appearance, with its neck and carapace covered in spines, and a long, slender snout that facilitates underwater breathing. It is a renowned ambush predator, often hiding on the seabed to catch fish and small animals. It possesses an extremely powerful bite.
2. Snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)
Also known as the short-necked alligator snapping turtle or American alligator snapping turtle , it can reach 70 centimeters in length, weigh over 100 kilograms, and live for over a century. It is famous for its crocodile-like head, rough carapace, and incredibly powerful bite. If provoked, it can easily bite off a human's finger.
3. Platysternon megacephalum (Big-headed turtle)
Its head is unusually large relative to its body, and its jaws are strong, giving it an extremely powerful bite. It has a long tail, which it often uses to climb branches or hunt birds. If threatened, it can cause serious injury or even break bones.
4. Alligator snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Commonly known as the American alligator snapping turtle, devil turtle, or bull turtle . Although smaller than the common snapping turtle, it still possesses extremely strong jaws and muscles. It is highly aggressive and is often used as a synonym for "vicious turtle."
Summarize
Freshwater turtles come in a wide variety of species, ranging from gentle ornamental species to dangerous predatory turtles. Each species should be handled with care based on its habits and ecological characteristics. Many species are unsuitable for keeping as pets, and some are even invasive species that threaten the ecosystem.
If you are interested in freshwater turtles, it is recommended to learn about them through observation in the wild or by reading popular science materials, rather than buying or releasing them indiscriminately.
