Turtles in Illinois

About 20 species of turtles live in Illinois, one of the eight states in the Great Lakes region. This makes the state quite hospitable for multiple species of freshwater turtles like the Common Snapping Turtle, the Eastern Painted Turtle, and the Blanding’s Turtle.

Types of Turtles Found in Illinois

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle
• Alligator Snapping Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Spotted Turtles

• Spotted Turtle

Blanding’s Turtles

• Blanding’s Turtle

Painted Turtles

• Eastern Painted Turtle

Map Turtles

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

Cooters

• Eastern River Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle
• Ornate Box Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider
• Pond Slider

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Eastern Mud Turtle
• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
• Yellow Mud Turtle

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Smooth Softshell
• Spiny Softshell

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