Turtles Native to Tennessee

According to the East Tennessee Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, turtle populations are on the decline in Tennessee and all over the world, due mostly to habitat loss and the pet trade. Nevertheless, you should still be able to find several varieties of turtles in Tennessee. Turtles often prefer freshwater lakes, and the Tennessee River is one of the best place to be if you're planning to go turtle spotting. If you take a few minutes to educate yourself about turtles native to Tennessee, you should be able to correctly identify any that you happen to come across.

  1. Box Turtles

    • Box turtles are one of the most common varieties of turtle found in Tennessee. In fact, the eastern box turtle is the official state reptile of Tennessee. The eastern box turtle has a mottled orange and green shell and a similar pattern on its head. Like other box turtles, the eastern box turtle has a long life span, usually upwards of 30 years. This species of turtle can live in a number of diverse locations, from dry fields to swamps.

    Snapping Turtles

    • Snapping turtles are the large spiky turtles that thrive in freshwater environments. Along the Tennessee River, it is possible to find the alligator snapping turtle. This creature is increasingly rare and it is unusual to spot one in the wild. You can identify this turtle from its dark green spiky shell, and the pointed beak common to all snapping turtles. This species was harvested commercially, causing a severe decline in populations. Therefore, if spotted, these turtles should be left alone.

    Emydid Turtles

    • Emydid turtles are the most common variety of turtle to be sold as pets. There are many varieties of this turtle and they are most often found in ponds and marshes. The painted turtle is a common species of emydid turtle found in Tennessee. It is named for the bright streaks of orange crossing its back. Other species of emydid turtle such as the moss green Ouachita turtle and the aptly-named red-eared slider turtle are also common to Tennessee.

    Softshell Turtles

    • Often sold as pets or eaten as a delicacy, softshell turtles are found all over the world. Finding softshell turtles is common in Tennessee and two species are particularly abundant. The eastern spiny softshell has a smooth, round, dotted shell and a pointed head. It is typically found in lakes and streams around Tennessee. The Gulf Coast spiny shell has a similar appearance but has a much lighter, almost yellow, color. This species of turtle is usually found in the Tennessee River.