Turtles in Louisiana

Louisiana is divided into two halves – the upper region with hills and woodlands and the lower alluvial part. The latter includes swamps, beaches, and coastal plains, proving ideal homes for both freshwater and saltwater turtles. Some of the turtles seen here include the Green Sea Turtle, the Alligator Snapping Turtle, and the Pond Slider.

Types of Turtles Found in Louisiana

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)

Painted Turtles

• Eastern Painted Turtle

Chicken Turtles

• Eastern Chicken Turtle

Map Turtles

• Northern Map Turtle
• Ouachita Map Turtle
• False Map Turtle
• Pearl River Map Turtle
• Ringed Map Turtle
• Sabine Map Turtle

Terrapins

• Diamondback Terrapin

Cooters

• Eastern River Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle
• Three-toed Box Turtle
• Ornate Box Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider
• Pond Slider

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

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

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Smooth Softshell
• Spiny Softshell

Tortoises (Testudinidae)

• Gopher Tortoise

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