The World of Turtles: A Quick Overview
Turtles aren’t just one type of creature — they come in all shapes, sizes, and attitudes. From the giant deep-sea Leatherback to the tiny Spotted Turtle hiding in shallow wetlands, the diversity is wild. You’ve got sea turtles, freshwater turtles, softshells, land turtles — and even the in-betweeners like terrapins.
If you’re new to turtle talk, you’re in the right place. This article breaks down the most common types of turtles, how they live, what makes them unique, and how you can tell them apart. And if you’re wondering how they compare to tortoises, we’ve got that too — check out our post 👉 Learn All About Tortoises to dive into that slow-moving world.
Leatherback Turtle: The Ocean Giant
Let’s start big — the Leatherback Turtle is the largest turtle on earth. These sea turtles can grow over 6 feet long and weigh more than 1,500 pounds. They’re also some of the deepest divers in the ocean, hitting depths of over 3,000 feet when they’re on the hunt.
What sets them apart isn’t just size — it’s their shell. Unlike hard-shelled sea turtles, the Leatherback has a soft, leathery back (hence the name) with ridges that help it glide through the water like a submarine. These gentle giants mostly munch on jellyfish and can be found in oceans across the globe, including parts of the Atlantic and Pacific.
Learn more about Leatherback turtles on our full blog post all about Leatherback Turtles.
Loggerhead Turtle: Strong-Jawed Survivor
Next up, meet the Loggerhead Turtle — named for its big ol’ head and crushing jaws. These guys are all muscle and attitude, especially when it comes to cracking open crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled prey.
Loggerheads are found in warm waters all around the world and often nest along southeastern U.S. beaches. Unlike Leatherbacks, these turtles have a tough, reddish-brown shell and are pretty good at navigating coastal areas. Sadly, like many turtle species, Loggerheads are listed as vulnerable, mostly due to habitat loss and fishing nets. Learn more about loggerheads here!
Green Sea Turtle: The Herbivore of the Sea
These beauties get their name from the green color of their body fat, not their shell (fun fact). Green Sea Turtles are mostly vegetarians, grazing on seagrass and algae — which gives them that greenish hue inside.
They’re known for having smooth, oval-shaped shells and a calm, gentle nature. You’ll usually find them hanging out in tropical waters, especially around coral reefs and shallow bays. Green turtles are also one of the species that return to the same nesting beach where they were born — pretty incredible if you ask me.
By the way, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for a turtle to carry their shell around 24/7, don’t miss this read: 🐢 Turtle Shell Facts – It’s Not Armor, It Is the Turtle.
Red-Eared Slider: The Backyard Pond Favorite
You’ve probably seen a Red-Eared Slider sunbathing on a log somewhere — they’re one of the most popular turtles in the U.S. and often sold in pet stores. That little red mark near their ear? That’s where they get the name.
These freshwater turtles love slow-moving rivers, ponds, and lakes. They’re omnivores, meaning they’ll chow down on both plants and small insects or fish. They’re fast swimmers, strong baskers, and surprisingly good at adapting to new environments — which is why they’ve spread to places outside their native range.
If you’re diving into North American critters, the Red-Eared Slider deserves a top spot.
Alligator Snapping Turtle: The Dinosaur of the Swamp
This one’s got a face only a prehistoric reptile could love. The Alligator Snapping Turtle looks like something right out of Jurassic Park. Massive jaws, spiked shell, and a worm-like tongue it uses to lure fish — this turtle doesn’t mess around.
They live in the southeastern United States, especially in swamps and muddy river bottoms. Unlike many other turtles, these guys don’t move much. They just sit, open-mouthed, and wait for something unlucky to swim by. When it does — SNAP.
Definitely one of the wildest critters we’ve covered — and part of the strange and tough crew found in our Animals of North America lineup.
Softshell Turtles: Speed and Weirdness Combined
Softshell turtles like the Pig-Nosed and Spiny Softshell don’t look like your classic turtle at all. Their pancake-flat bodies and flexible shells are made for speed — in water and sometimes on land.
The Pig-Nosed Softshell, found in Australia and New Guinea, looks like a turtle that decided to borrow a pig’s snout. Meanwhile, the Spiny Softshell hangs out in North American rivers and has rough, sandpaper-like skin.
They’re both incredible swimmers and fierce hunters. But fair warning: they can be aggressive when provoked — not your cuddly pond turtle.
Box Turtle: Land Lover with Personality
Unlike sliders and snappers, Box Turtles spend most of their lives on land. With a high-domed shell and the ability to completely close themselves up like a box (hence the name), these turtles are true little tanks.
Box turtles are found all across North America, and they love moist forests, meadows, and gardens. They eat pretty much everything — from berries to worms to mushrooms.
They’re known for being curious, slow (obviously), and super long-lived — some live over 50 years in the wild. If you’ve ever had one walk through your backyard, you’ll know they’ve got real turtle charm.
Painted Turtle: The Living Rainbow of Freshwater
Found throughout the United States and parts of Canada, the Painted Turtle is one of the most visually striking turtles out there. Bright red and yellow stripes along their legs and neck make them look like little swimming rainbows.
They’re basking pros — often found stacked like pancakes on logs in ponds and lakes. They eat aquatic plants, insects, and small fish, and are one of the most cold-tolerant turtles in North America.
Chicken Turtle: The Oddball of the Southeast
The Chicken Turtle has one of the weirdest names — and a body to match. Long neck? Check. Oval shell that almost looks egg-shaped? Check. These semi-aquatic turtles live in the southeastern U.S., in marshes and swamps.
They get their name from early settlers who said they tasted like chicken — but now they’re a protected species in many areas. What makes them stand out most is how fast they can walk on land for a turtle. You blink, and they’re gone.
Hawksbill Turtle: Coral Reef Cleaner
Living mostly in tropical oceans, Hawksbill Turtles have a narrow, bird-like beak that helps them pluck sponges and other invertebrates off coral reefs. They play a major role in reef health and are considered a keystone species in tropical marine ecosystems.
They’re small, beautiful, and unfortunately critically endangered. Their patterned shells were once harvested to make jewelry and ornaments — something that’s now illegal but still happens on the black market.
They’re an important part of our Ocean Critters collection — and worth learning more about to help with their conservation.
Mata Mata Turtle: Nature’s Weirdest Face
The Mata Mata Turtle is one of the oddest-looking reptiles on Earth. Native to slow-moving rivers and swamps in South America, it has a flattened, triangular head, a long snorkel-like snout, and a shell that looks like a pile of leaves.
Its bizarre appearance is perfect camouflage in murky water. It doesn’t chase prey — it waits. When a fish swims close, it opens its mouth so fast it creates a vacuum, sucking the fish in instantly. Freaky, fascinating, and pure ambush predator energy.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle: The Mass Nesters
Olive Ridley Turtles are known for their incredible synchronized nesting events, called arribadas, where thousands of females come ashore at once. These marine turtles prefer tropical and subtropical beaches across South America, Africa, and India.
They’re the smallest sea turtles, but their numbers during nesting season are unmatched. While they face threats from poaching and pollution, their nesting behavior is a natural wonder worth protecting. Sea turtle fans will love learning how these turtles use the moon and tides to navigate.
Snake-Necked Turtles: The Unwinders of the Reptile World
As the name suggests, Snake-Necked Turtles have necks that are longer than their shells. Instead of pulling their heads straight back like most turtles, they twist their necks sideways to tuck them in—super unique!
These freshwater turtles are found mostly in Australia and parts of South America, and they use their long necks to ambush prey like fish and frogs. If you’re exploring more amphibians and reptiles of South America, these guys are a wild find.
Wood Turtle: The Forest Floor Forager
Wood Turtles are native to the northeastern United States and parts of Canada, and they’re as smart as they are beautiful. Their shell is sculpted and looks almost carved—hence the name.
These turtles forage on land and in water, using vibration tricks like stomping the ground to scare up worms. They’re clever and curious, and unfortunately, their curiosity makes them vulnerable to poaching and habitat loss. Wood turtles are one of the more threatened species in the wild today.
Common Snapping Turtle: The Tough Guy of the Pond
The Common Snapping Turtle has a reputation—and it’s well-earned. Found throughout North America, these turtles have powerful jaws, long tails, and an attitude that says, “don’t mess with me.”
They prefer muddy ponds and slow rivers, where they lie in wait for prey. While they rarely leave the water unless nesting, they’re occasionally seen crossing roads during mating season. They may look prehistoric, but they play a vital role in pond ecosystems.
Flatback Turtle: Australia’s Homebody
The Flatback Turtle is a sea turtle species found only in Australia’s coastal waters—nowhere else on Earth. True to their name, their shells are flatter and softer than other sea turtles. They don’t travel long distances like other sea turtle types, preferring to stay close to shore.
Because of their limited range, they’re less studied than others, but they’re still vulnerable to pollution, habitat loss, and egg predators. These gentle turtles are part of what makes Australia’s wildlife so unique.
Spotted Turtle: The Dotted Beauty of the East
Small, secretive, and totally beautiful, the Spotted Turtle lives in marshes and swamps from the Great Lakes down through the eastern United States. Its jet-black shell is dotted with bright yellow spots, making it one of the prettiest freshwater turtles you might ever come across.
Spotted turtles are unfortunately declining in many areas due to wetland loss. If you’re out hiking and lucky enough to see one, observe from a distance—they’re protected in many states due to their dwindling numbers.
Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle: State Symbol with a Striking Look
As Alabama’s official state reptile, the Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle stands out with a vibrant red hue on its underside. It’s native to just a few rivers and swamps in coastal Alabama and Mississippi, making it one of the most endangered turtles in the U.S.
This freshwater turtle is protected by conservation programs and is rarely seen in the wild. If you want to learn more about turtles like this, our full turtle guide is a great place to start!
Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle: A Rare Asian Gem
The Ryukyu Leaf Turtle—also known as the Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle—is a tiny, secretive turtle native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. It looks like a fallen brown leaf, which helps it blend into the forest floor.
Unlike many turtles on this list, it’s a terrestrial species, meaning it lives mostly on land in humid forests. This turtle is incredibly rare in the wild and is part of what makes Asian critters so unique, though it’s not a species you’ll easily spot outside of captivity or protected reserves.
Map Turtle: Rivers and Ridges
The Map Turtle gets its name from the intricate, map-like patterns on its shell. Native to rivers and lakes across North America, this species prefers fast-moving freshwater and spends lots of time basking on rocks and logs.
Each species of map turtle (and there are several) has a unique shell pattern, but they all share that love of sun and water. To explore more freshwater wildlife, hop into our pond critters section where these turtles love to hang out.
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