As I fed horses last week, I happened upon a turtle hanging out near the pasture. While I haven’t been able to figure out what species he was, it got me thinking about what species he potentially could be based on known species in our region.
One of the best resources I know of to find information on herpetology for our region is the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory website through the University of Georgia (serlherp.uga.edu). They list seven genetic families and twenty-seven species of turtle and tortoises that are known to live in Georgia and South Carolina. In our specific area (Wilkes, Lincoln, & McCormick) we can narrow that list to about 11 species. These species include the Common Snapping Turtle, Painted Turtle, Spotted Turtle, River Cooter, Florida Cooter, Eastern Box Turtle, Slider Turtle, Striped Mud Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, and Spiny Softshell turtle.
Each species of turtle in our region have characteristics that differentiate them from others. When trying to identify turtles, first consider their size. Some species are small (2-5” long) such as Spotted Turtles, Striped Mud Turtles, and Common Musk Turtles. Others can be much larger (8-12”) such as Common Snapping Turtles, River Cooters, Florida Cooters, and Spiny Softshells. In addition to size, each species has specific coloration and patterning of their heads and body. For example, many people are familiar with the Eastern Box Turtle, which has a highly rounded shell and orange/yellow splotches on the shell and face- males can even have red eyes. Other turtles, such as the Painted Turtle, may be a similar size to the Box Turtle but have very different shells and patterns. The Painted Turtle has a much flatter shell that is dark in color, reddish spots on the edges of the shell and legs, and yellow stripes/markings from head to tail. The only species of turtle in our region that can be potentially harmful to humans is the Common Snapping Turtle, which may become aggressive if cornered or captured.
Most turtle species prefer aquatic habitats, though whether they prefer swampy wetlands, muddy farm ponds, or clear rivers will vary, with the exception of the Box Turtle, who is more terrestrial. Turtles may be herbivores, eating primarily berries, mushrooms, and other plants, or omnivores, also consuming insects, worms, or fish. Depending on the species, turtles can live between 25-50 years and a mature female may lay 20-40 eggs per season. In Georgia and South Carolina, some species such as the Box Turtle are protected by law, while others like the Common Snapping Turtle are not protected and are occasionally harvested for food.
If you ever need to handle a turtle, it is best to pick it up like a pizza box, sliding your hand under its belly from between the rear legs and lifting it carefully. Grabbing the edges of the shell can be harmful to some species. If you need to move a turtle off a road, be sure to move it in the direction it was already going! Do you have other questions about turtles or want help identifying something you’ve found? Please feel free to give us a call at 706-359-3233 or uge3181@uga.edu.
