What Type of Species Is an Aquatic Turtle?

Zoologists and herpetologists (scientists who specialize in the study of reptiles) use seven categories to classify animals and plants. These seven classifications in descending order from most general to the most specific, include - kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Of these classifications, genus and species are probably the best known, as they comprise what is commonly referred to as a "scientific name." For example, the scientific name for human beings is "Homo sapiens" with the term "homo" being the genus and "sapiens" being the species. There are many types of aquatic turtles. However, the different species of aquatic turtles can be narrowed down.

  1. Types of aquatic turtles

    • There are many different types of aquatic turtles. Thus breaking them down into manageable categories is necessary. Three major types of aquatic turtles include traditional aquatic turtles; snapping turtles and sea turtles. All three of these groups of turtles have special adaptations, like webbed feet, that make them particularly suited to life in the water.

    Traditional aquatic turtles

    • Traditional aquatic turtles, of which there are several main species, are among the most popular turtles used as pets. Some main aquatic turtles include: the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), the red-eared glider (Trachemys scripta elegans) and the map turtle (Graptemys ernsti). These three types of aquatic turtles all belong to the family Emydidae but have many different types of species. They are all aquatic freshwater turtles. All three families resemble each other in color shape and markings, with the exception of the map turtle, which has a keel that runs the length of its carapace (or shell). These aquatic turtles eat grass, insects and tadpoles. They generally have good dispositions and are considered good pets. They are typically found throughout the eastern and southern United States but also populate other areas due to heavy breeding and shipping.

    Snapping turtles

    • Another type of aquatic turtle that does not make such a good pet is the common snapping turtle, or Chelydra serpentina. The range of the snapping turtle is from Canada and through the United States as far south as Ecuador. They are commonly found in fresh water, like shallow ponds and lakes. However, snappers have also been known to inhabit brackish estuaries. In some areas they are hunted heavily for their meat, which is an ingredient in many turtle soup recipes. While snapping turtles do eat some grasses, they are also avid hunters and eat insects, frogs, fish and even smaller turtles.

    Sea turtles

    • Sea turtles are also, by definition, aquatic turtles. Sea turtles belong to the super family known as Chelonioidea. There are at least seven different families of sea turtles, each with many individual species within them. They inhabit all known oceans except for icy polar waters. Although sea turtles do breathe air, they have developed an anaerobic system of breathing that allows them to surface for air only every so often and to stay submerged for extraordinarily long times.