This is a reflection of the growing issues surrounding coastal development and ocean conservation. Unfortunately these turtle populations are declining due to international trade demand and habitat loss.
Three other species Green Leatherback and Kemps Ridley have been known to nest on Palmetto State beaches though those occurrences are extremely rare.
South carolina turtle species. Quick list of the native turtles of South Carolina. Bog Turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii Carolina Diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin centrata Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina Eastern. Turtles in South Carolina.
Turtles are unique reptiles having boney or cartilaginous shells covering their bodies. The turtles shell is developed from its ribs and grows with the turtle over its lifetime. In some turtles growth rings can be seen on the scutes scales covering the shell.
Turtles are found in a wide variety of habitats in South Carolina including the ocean freshwater lakes and rivers dry. They are the loggerhead Kemps ridley green leatherback Australian flatback hawksbill and olive ridley. The loggerhead Kemps ridley green and leatherback sea turtles can be found in South Carolinas near shore waters April through November or nesting on our beaches from May through October.
Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle found in our states coastal waters and nesting on our. Currently in South Carolina there is no permit needed to harvest turtles. Identification Fifty-one species of land turtles separated into 6 families reside in the US.
Only turtles from the Emydidae pond turtles Trionychidae softshell turtles Kinosternidae mud turtles and Chelydridae. Turtles Found in South Carolina. Click on image for information Tortoises.
All of the members of this group inhabit some type of freshwater andor wetland system in South Carolina. Some species such as the spiny softshell turtle and the river cooter are restricted to rivers and reservoirs resulting from impounded rivers. The yellowbelly turtle and Florida cooter.
Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia Bog Turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii. All seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered. This is a reflection of the growing issues surrounding coastal development and ocean conservation.
To help ensure that sea turtles have a future in our oceans the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center aids sick and injured sea turtles in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Matamata turtles are a large species of freshwater aquatic turtle that is endemic to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. These unusual turtles favor slower-moving waters such as marshes and swamps.
These turtles like to loiter in the shallows poking their. Chrysemys picta marginata Midland Painted Turtle Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle Deirochelys reticularia reticularia Eastern Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia chrysea Florida Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia miaria Western Chicken Turtle. The Southeast has the highest diversity of turtles in the US.
And is home to 75 percent of all native species found in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately these turtle populations are declining due to international trade demand and habitat loss. Documenting turtle spottings in this area will contribute to a better understanding of this unique ecological asset that is matched by only a few other regions on.
This is a compete list of all the turtle species that exist at the moment the list is ordered alphabetically and also contains the family to which the species belongs their common name and the location where they can be found. If you are on a computer and you are searching for a specific species you can press Ctrl Cmd and the the key F to bring up the search bar. Some species such as the spiny softshell turtle and the river cooter are restricted to reservoirs resulting from impounded rivers as well as the rivers themselves.
The yellow-bellied turtle Florida cooter and Eastern painted turtle are most commonly associated with ponds small lakes and other non-flowing wetlands. Loggerheads are one seven species of sea turtles and are the most common species known to nest in South Carolina. Three other species Green Leatherback and Kemps Ridley have been known to nest on Palmetto State beaches though those occurrences are extremely rare.
Pollution is another major cause of sea turtle mortality. Support our South Carolina Turtles. Display the NEW Protect Endangered Species Plate Display the NEW Protect Endangered Species Plate volunteer group protecting sea turtle nests on the barrier island Isle of PalmsSouth Carolina.
Home to thirty of the most important turtle and tortoise species in the world The Turtle Survival Center is critically important safeguarding irreplaceable representatives of species some no longer found in the wild. For information on volunteering at the TSC contact Nathan Haislip. View the TSC Wish List HERE.
Turtle Survival Alliance 1030. South Carolina Native Species. Bog Turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii.
Carolina Diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin centrata. Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus. Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina.
Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina. Common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin The species above cannot be possessed sold bartered traded shipped or removed from the state in any form including parts products eggs offspring or.