Turtles
What are they?
Turtles and their relatives are readily recognized by most people by their external shells which are actually formed from extensions to the lateral processes of the spine and ribs. The word 'turtle' is unfortunately rather too liberally used in North America, meaning that it is not really possible to define them from other, closely-related groups. Elsewhere, turtles are sea-borne creatures which have flippers rather than walking legs and only come out of the sea to lay eggs. Smaller species with walking legs that predominantly live in freshwater are known as terrapins, while predominantly land-living species with more domed shells are known as tortoises.
Identification
Our one land-living 'turtle' (really a tortoise) is easily identified by its shell shape and habits. Freshwater 'turtles' (terrapins) are more specious and are usually best identified by head and neck markings as well as patterning on the shell.
Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina
Length: 20.3-36 cm. Widespread in the county but localized by its need for larger wetlands that attract larger prey items. A massive turtle that can regularly grow up to some 35lbs in weight (with records of individuals up to 75lbs). Adults are easily told by their size, juveniles by their rather flattened shells with three longitudinal ridges. Overall generally dark and unpatterned.
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Eastern Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus
Length: 7.0-10.0 cm. A small, unmarked species of terrapin with a rather angular shell. The head and neck have narrow, cream-colored lines and the nose is distinctly pointed. Musk Turtles get their name from a musty odor that they emit if handled or alarmed and this has earned them the nickname of 'Stinkpot'. Appears to be rare in the Cape May area and currently only known from the Tuckahoe River area.
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Eastern Mud Turtle Kinosternon subrubrum
Length: 7.0-10.0 cm. A small, unmarked species of terrapin with a relatively high shell. The underside (plastron) is a rich, mahogany color.
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Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata
Length: 9.0-11.5 cm. An uncommon species, currently known from the north of Cape May County. Typically inhabits rather muddy, shallow ponds and ditches. Best identified by the variable pattern of clear, yellowish spots on the shell.
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Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina
Length: 11.5-15.2 cm. A common and widespread species and our only land-based 'turtle', found in a wide range of both damp and dry woodland and fields. As a protective measure, this species has a hinge on the lower part of the shell which protects the head when the animal withdraws into its shell.
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Diamond-backed Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin
Length: 15.2-22.9 cm. The only species of terrapin in our area that is regularly found in saltwater. Local but often common in tidal saltwater creeks along the backbays, with smaller numbers also in the Delaware Bayshore marshes. Head and neck is much lighter in color than on other species, being pale gray with blackish spots. The shell is patterned with concentric lines, giving rise to its English name.
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Northern Red-bellied Turtle Pseudemys rubriventris
Length: 25.4-32 cm. A common and widespread species, found in most larger ponds, lakes and other permanent bodies of water throughout the county. Our largest species after the snapping turtle, with older individuals regularly reaching a shell length of 12 inches. Males have plain heads and pale blotches on the shell. Females have a few thin, creamy lines on the head and neck and usually a few reddish lines on the back.
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Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta
Length: 11.5-15.2 cm. A common and widespread species, found in most ponds, lakes and other bodies of water throughout the county. Superficially similar to Redbelly Turtle but doesn't get as big. The joins between the sections of the shell are usually paler than the rest of the shell. The head and neck are covered in creamy-yellow lines of varying thickness and there is usually a yellowish patch behind the eye.
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Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans
Length: 12-20 cm. Not a native species in New Jersey but popular as a pet and - unfortunately - often released into the wild by owners who lose interest in them. May turn up in any body of fresh water and currently known from ponds around Cape May Point and in the large lake near the county zoo. A fairly small species which is similar in appearance to the native Painted Turtle, but it has an orange-red spot behind the eye instead of a yellow one.
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