TURTLES OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

Below is a current list representing the forty-two (42) species and subspecies of turtles that occur in the region that we have defined as being the American Southwest.

Our goal is to eventually have at least one photo for every species/subspecies. We also plan to eventually provide habitat photographs and range maps for as many species as possible, along with the legal/protective status of each in the states where they occur within our region.

The scientific and common names used in this section generally follow The Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding, 6th edition, 2008, Crother, B. I. (ed.) SSAR Herpetological Circular No 37. However, SWCHR may on occasion deviate from that "standard" herpetological list to reflect SWCHR's preferences in favor of stability and conservative taxonomic practice.

Those species and subspecies that do have photos available are identified as clickable links on the list below. If you have photos of species/subspecies that do not yet have photos, you are encouraged to submit them for possible inclusion. Please see our Call for Papers and Photos section for more information.

CHELONIIDAE (Sea Turtles)

Loggerhead Sea Turtle- Caretta caretta

Green Sea Turtle - Chelonia mydas

Atlantic Hawksbill Sea Turtle- Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata

Pacific Hawksbill Sea Turtle- Eretmochelys imbricata bissa

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle- Lepidochelys kempii

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle - Lepidochelys olivacea

CHELYDRIDAE (Snapping Turtles)

Eastern Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina serpentina

Alligator Snapping Turtle - Macrochelys temminckii

DERMOCHELYIDAE (Leatherback Sea Turtles)

Leatherback Sea Turtle - Dermochelys coriacea

EMYDIDAE (Box and Water Turtles)

Western Pond Turtle - Actinemys marmorata

Southern Painted Turtle - Chrysemys dorsalis

Western Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta bellii

Western Chicken Turtle - Deirochelys reticularia miaria

Cagle's Map Turtle - Graptemys caglei

Ouachita Map Turtle - Graptemys ouachitensis ouachitensis

Sabine Map Turtle - Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis

Mississippi Map Turtle - Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii

Texas Map Turtle - Graptemys versa

Texas Diamond-backed Terrapin - Malaclemys terrapin littoralis

Eastern River Cooter - Pseudemys concinna concinna

Rio Grande Cooter - Pseudemys gorzugi

Texas River Cooter - Pseudemys texana

Three-toed Box Turtle - Terrapene carolina triunguis

Ornate Box Turtle - Terrapene ornata ornata

Desert Box Turtle - Terrapene ornata luteola

Big Bend Slider - Trachemys gaigeae gaigeae

Red-eared Slider - Trachemys scripta elegans

KINOSTERNIDAE (Mud and Musk Turtles)

Arizona Mud Turtle - Kinosternon arizonense

Yellow Mud Turtle - Kinosternon flavescens

Mexican Plateau Mud Turtle - Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi

Sonora Mud Turtle - Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense

Sonoyta Mud Turtle - Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale

Mississippi Mud Turtle - Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis

Razor-backed Musk Turtle - Sternotherus carinatus

Eastern Musk Turtle - Sternotherus odoratus

TESTUDINIDAE (Gopher Tortoises)

Desert Tortoise - Gopherus agassizii

Texas Tortoise - Gopherus berlandieri

TRIONYCHIDAE (Softshell Turtles)

Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle - Apalone mutica mutica

Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera emoryi

Guadalupe Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera guadalupensis

Western Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera hartwegi

Pallid Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera pallida

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