Found in a variety of habitats, 10 species of native freshwater turtles call Massachusetts home. Deepen your appreciation for nature by learning to identify the turtles you may see on your next outdoor adventure or in your own backyard. Start by learning how to identify each species, if they are common or rare, who they are most often mistaken for, and what their habitat preferences are.
Learn more about each turtle below.
Freshwater turtles
Painted turtle
Snapping turtle
Red-eared slider and yellow-bellied slider
Spotted turtle
Eastern box turtle
Eastern musk turtle
Blanding's turtle
Wood turtle
Northern diamond-backed terrapin
Northern red-bellied cooter
Bog turtle
Map turtle
Spiny softshell turtle
Asian softshell turtle
Trying to help a turtle?
Turtles face a number of threats, here's what you can do to help freshwater turtles.
If you see a turtle that is listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, we'd like to hear from you! Please share your observation on the MassWildlife Heritage Hub and iNaturalist. Sharing requires creating an account, but you will receive confirmation and thanks from our biologists, once your observation has been reviewed and confirmed. Your reports provide critical information that informs future habitat management and wildlife conservation for future generations. For a single sighting, as an alternative to setting up a Heritage Hub account, you can also use our Rare Animal Observation Form.
Non-native turtles
There are at least 4 non-native turtles species in Massachusetts! Some can be found statewide and are considered established while others are only located in specific watersheds. Reporting sightings of these turtles on iNaturalist help scientists understand their behaviors, population statuses, and how they impact the native turtle species.