Turtles in Virginia

Virginia is covered with deciduous hardwood forests and shortleaf pine forests and also has the largest estuary in the United States – Chesapeake Bay. As a result, both freshwater and saltwater turtles like the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle, and the Red-eared Slider.

Types of Turtles Found in Virginia

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 Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

• Eastern Painted Turtle

Chicken Turtles

• Eastern Chicken Turtle

Map Turtles

• Northern Map Turtle

Terrapins

• Northern Diamondback Terrapin

Spotted Turtles

• Spotted Turtle

Cooters

• Eastern River Cooter
• Coastal Plain Cooter
• Northern Red-bellied Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle

Glyptemys Turtles

• Bog Turtle
• Wood Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider
• Yellow-bellied Slider
• Cumberland Slider

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Striped Mud Turtle
• Eastern Mud Turtle
• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
• Striped-necked Musk Turtle 
• Southeastern Mud Turtle

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Eastern Spiny Softshell

FAQ