Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta
Photo Credits: Matt Moore
This species lives in rivers, ditches, lakes, and ponds of North Carolina. Eastern populations have a yellow spot behind their eye. They are wary baskers and slide into the water whenever disturbed. As yellow-bellied sliders grow into adulthood, they eat aquatic insects, and once fully grown, they are fully herbivorous.
Scientific Name: Clemmys guttata
Photo Credits: Matt More
Spotted turtles live in marshes, wet pastures, Carolina bays, ditches, canals, temporary pools, and small streams. This species has a dark, nearly black shell and body covered with small yellow spots. They feed on aquatic vegetation, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The spotted turtle spends much of its time hiding under aquatic vegetation, but is observed in the spring basking in the sun.
Scientific Name: Apalone spinifera
Photo Credit: JD Willson
Softshells often bask on sandbars or logs or lie buried in sand in shallow water. The eastern spiny softshell lives in the western mountains of North Carolina. Coloration ranges from olive-gray to yellowish-brown with spots or blotches on the shell. They feed on fish, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates. Nests are generally located close to water, often on sand or gravel bars or in people’s yards.
Scientific Name: Pseudemys concinna
Photo Credits: JD Wilson
River cooters are found in rivers and large streams. They feed on aquatic plants, growing to 9-13 inches in shell length. This turtle can be distinguished from the slider by its significantly more flattened and flared shell and by its flat chin. In North Carolina,this species is found in coastal areas.
Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.
Scientific Name: Pseudemys rubriventris
Photo Credits: JD Willson
In North Carolina, this species is found in canals, streams, lakes, and other bodies of still and slow-moving water. The top of its shell is brown or black with vertical yellow and orange markings. This species is eats aquatic plants, growing to 10-12.5 inches in shell length. The red-bellied cooter is listed as threatened by the World Conservation Union.
Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta picta
Classification: Nongame species
Photo Credit: Jodie Owen
Scientific Name: Terrapene carolina carolina
Classification: Nongame species
Abundance: Statewide
Photo Credits: Jeff Hall
Scientific Name: Deirochelys reticularia
Photo Credit: JD Willson
Mostly found in the Sandhills of North Carolina, chicken turtles live in canals, marshes, cypress, ponds, and other bodies of still or sluggish water. Chicken turtles are characterized by the netlike patterns on the top of their shells. They have been observed eating tadpoles and crayfish. In North Carolina, they have been observed living in sewage treatment ponds.
Scientific Name: Malaclemys terrapin
Classification: Nongame species; state-listed as special concern
Photo Credit: Andrew Gosse
Scientific Name: Glyptemys (Clemmys) muhlenbergii
Classification: Nongame species; Federally and state listed as Threatened
Photo Credit: Jeff Hall