Turtles in Minnesota

Minnesota can be divided into four habitats: prairie parklands, eastern broadleaf forests, tall grass aspen parklands, and mixed forests. Sadly the state has been the target of logging for years, with the practice continuing to this day, with only a few patches of old forest remaining. However, several turtle species still exist in the state, including the Common Snapping Turtle, the Red-eared Slider, the Painted Turtle, the Wood Turtle, and the Smooth Softshell.

Types of Turtles Found in Minnesota

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

• Western Painted Turtle

Map Turtles

• Northern Map Turtle
• Ouachita Map Turtle
• False Map Turtle

Blanding’s Turtles

• Blanding’s Turtle

Glyptemys Turtles

• Wood Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Smooth Softshell
• Spiny Softshell

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