Turtles in Georgia

Different kinds of turtle species make the state of Georgia their home. While most of these are freshwater species like cooters, sliders, snapping turtles, etc., saltwater turtles like the Leatherback and Hawksbill also visit the state. This can be attributed to Georgia’s humid climate and several water bodies, including the Chattooga River, the Chattahoochee River, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Types of Turtles Found in Georgia

Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)

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

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle
• Alligator Snapping Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)

• Leatherback Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys)

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Glyptemys Turtles

• Bog Turtle

Painted Turtles

• Southern Painted Turtle
• Eastern Painted Turtle
• Midland Painted Turtle
• Western Painted Turtle

Chicken Turtles

• Eastern Chicken Turtle
• Florida Chicken Turtle
• Western Chicken Turtle

Map Turtles

• Northern Map Turtle
• Barbour’s Map Turtle
• Ouachita Map Turtle
• Alabama Map Turtle

Terrapins

• Northern Diamondback Terrapin

Cooters

• Coastal Plain Cooter
• Eastern River Cooter
• Florida Red-bellied Cooter
• Hieroglyphic River Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle
• Gulf Coast Box Turtle
• Three-toed Box Turtle
• Florida Box Turtle

Sliders

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

Spotted Turtles

• Spotted Turtle

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Striped Mud Turtle
• Eastern Mud Turtle
• Loggerhead Musk Turtle
• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
• Striped-necked Musk Turtle
• Mississippi Mud Turtle

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Florida Softshell
• Eastern Spiny Softshell
• Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell

Tortoises (Testudinidae)

• Gopher Tortoise

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