12/8/2023 0 Comments Pond slider![]() The family includes roughly fifty turtle species, and around twenty of those species are native to Florida. They’re also known as terrapins, pond turtles, or marsh turtles. The taxonomic family Emydidae is one of the largest families of turtles in the Western Hemisphere. They live in the Suwannee River, which runs from southern George to north-central Florida. The Suwannee snapping turtle is a newly described species separate from, but closely related to, the Alligator Snapping Turtle ( Macrochelys temminckii). Suwannee snapping turtle ( Macrochelys suwanniensis) The largest, verifiable individual weighed in at 249 pounds, but wild adults typically weigh 19 to 176 pounds. Their blocky head features an impressively sharp beak, eyes surrounded by yellow patterns, and a bright tongue for caudal luring. ![]() Their shells are covered in huge, spiky osteoderms. The alligator snapping turtle takes the prehistoric snapping turtle look to a whole new level. Alligator Snapping Turtle ( Macrochelys temminckii) ![]() Weighing in at 10 to over 30 pounds, they may be large compared to other turtles, but Florida’s other snapping turtle dwarfs them. The Florida snapping turtle ( Chelydra serpentina osceola) is a formerly-recognized subspecies that are no longer classified separately. The common snapping turtle can be found in Florida, as well as most of the United States. Common Snapping Turtle ( Chelydra serpentina) They don’t reach sexual maturity until at least twelve years of age. It’s unknown how long snapping turtles live in the wild, but the suggested maximum age is well over one-hundred years. While they’re flawlessly designed to lure and hunt live prey, snapping turtles are also happy to eat carrion and animal matter. Snapping turtles are famously named after their propensity and ability to snap their powerful jaws onto prey or perceived threats. They have no spines, and the spots on their carapace are barely visible due to their darker-colored shell. The Gulf Coast smooth softshell is also native to the panhandle of northern Florida and southern Alabama. Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell ( Apalone mutica calvata) They have two or more black lines bordering the rear end of their carapace, and they’re covered in ring-shaped spots. Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell ( Apalone spinifera aspera)Ī subspecies of the spiny softshell ( Apalone spinifera), the Gulf Coast spiny softshell is endemic to the Carolinas, Alabama, and northern Florida. ![]() This is the largest softshell turtle species in North America, averaging at 6 to 30 inches and 6 to 15 pounds.įlorida softshell turtles may be differentiated from other Florida-native softshells by their very dark brown or olive green carapace (upper shell). The Florida softshell is found throughout the entire state of Florida, and the southern regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. While the absence of a heavy, armored shell may leave softshell turtles physically vulnerable to predators, it also enables them to flee faster than other turtles. The Trionychidae family of turtles are named after their leathery, flat shells that lack boney scutes.
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