Turtles in Delaware

Most of Delaware runs along the Atlantic Coastal Plain and has a tropical humid climate. Both saltwater and freshwater turtles make their home in this state, including the Common Snapping Turtle, the Spotted Turtle, and the Green Sea Turtle.

Types of Turtles Found in Delaware

Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)

• Loggerhead Sea Turtle
• Green Sea Turtle
• Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)

• Leatherback Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys)

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Glyptemys Turtles

• Bog Turtle

Painted Turtles

• Eastern Painted Turtle

Terrapins

• Northern Diamondback Terrapin

Cooters

• Northern Red-bellied Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider
• Yellow-bellied Slider

Spotted Turtles

• Spotted Turtle

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Eastern Mud Turtle
• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Spiny Softshell

Tortoises (Testudinidae)

• African Spurred Tortoise

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