9 Turtles Found in Maine (With Pictures)

Turtles can be found all around the globe, including in the state of Maine. In the Pine Tree State, there are seven native land turtles and two types of sea turtles that could be found in the waters around the state.

Although it can be easy to find a few turtle varieties, such as Painted Turtles and Snapping Turtles, others are threatened and harder to find. For example, the Blanding’s Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle, Wood Turtle, and Spotted Turtle are all endangered.

To learn more about the nine native turtles in Maine, read on.

Click to Jump Ahead:

• The 7 Land or Pond Turtles
• The 2 Sea Turtles

The 7 Land or Pond Turtles Found in Maine

Even though turtles can be found in ponds and rivers, they cannot breathe underwater, so you’ll often see them on land. One might say they like living on the Maine-land (pun intended!).

1. Painted Turtle

Painted Turtles are some of the cutest and friendliest turtles native to Maine. In fact, there are actually two different types of Painted Turtles in Maine: the Eastern Painted and the Midland Painted. Both varieties are popular pets.

The Painted Turtle is named because of its unique colorations. It has a dark shell with yellow stripes. These turtles can also have orange, red, and other colors for the patterning. In addition to the strong coloration, you can identify Midland Painted Turtles by the shadow-like patch on their plastron.

2. Spotted Turtle

Much like Painted Turtles, Spotted Turtles are really stunning, but they don’t make the best pets because they are very sensitive. This small species has a black, smooth shell with bright yellow dots. Its plastron is also yellow, but it has black patches on both sides.

You can easily find Spotted Turtles in the shallow waters of marshes and ponds. These turtles love to bask. So, look for them on logs or on the land right beside the water. Unfortunately, local water pollution is threatening these creatures.

3. Common Musk Turtle

The Common Musk Turtle really is a unique creature. It is nicknamed the “Stinkpot” because the animal smells very strongly due to the scents released from its musk glands. This harsh smell is often used to protect itself from predators.

Common Musk Turtles can be found all throughout Maine. You will most likely find them in marshy or boggy habitats so they can hunt for all their favorite treats. They have dark unmarked shells, and their heads are also dark, but they have yellow lines along their faces.

4. Common Snapping Turtle

The Common Snapping Turtle is the largest turtle in Maine! They are aggressive and are often found in large bodies of water. As a result of their aggressive behaviors, they are not recommended as pets.

You can identify Common Snappers by looking at their distinctive beaks, which are hooked. They also have dark brown and green shells. Additionally, Common Snapping Turtles are known to have really strong claws and longtails.

5. Blanding’s Turtle

The Blanding’s Turtle, which is named after William Blanding, is an endangered variety in Maine. These turtles have dark shells with yellow spots. Additionally, their plastrons are yellow, but they have black patches too.

What really makes the Blanding’s Turtle stand out is that it is called “the turtle that smiles.” The natural slope of its mouth almost makes it appear as though it is smiling. Sadly, these turtles don’t have much to smile about because they are endangered.

6. Eastern Box Turtle

The Eastern Box Turtle is another species that is native to Maine and threatened. These turtles have dark brown domed shells with distinct yellow and orange spots and markings. Their plastrons are dark brown.

Eastern Box Turtles are known for their unique ability to regenerate their shells. The regeneration ability is partially why their shells are so domed. You can find this threatened species in woodland, marshy, and grassland areas, but they are most commonly found within easy access to streams and ponds.

7. Wood Turtle

Wood Turtles are highly intelligent, but they are endangered because of local water pollution and other threats to their natural homes in woodlands and ponds. These turtles are very active and rock themselves to create vibrations so as to lure worms out of the ground.

Wood Turtles are named so simply because their shells feel and look like they’re made of wood. The shell patterns look like growth rings and wooden grain. As you would expect, Wood Turtles are normally brown.

The 2 Sea Turtles Found in Maine

In addition to the turtles found in freshwater and on land, there are two types of sea turtles that frequent Maine’s waters. Of course, sea turtles are not native to Maine specifically, but you can find them during the right season.

It’s important to point out that even sea turtles cannot breathe underwater. However, they can stay underwater for long periods of time because they have the ability to absorb oxygen through their cloaca as they sleep. Since sea turtles cannot breathe underwater, you will be able to see them when they pop up to the ocean surface for air.

8. Leatherback Sea Turtle

If you have seen the movie “Finding Nemo,” you have seen a Leatherback Sea Turtle, just in animated form! Leatherback Sea Turtles are the most popular type of sea turtle because they are very large and graceful looking under the water.

Leatherback Sea Turtles are legally protected, especially their nests, which you can find on sandy beaches. Government agencies will often mark these nests so people don’t accidentally sit on them or break the delicate eggs.

9. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is lesser known than the Leatherback. These turtles have slightly hooked beaks and triangular-shaped heads. Their shells are round and have various shades of green or gray. Their plastrons and undersides are yellow or cream.

Unfortunately, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are critically endangered, mainly due to water pollution and other issues relating to their environment.

Conclusion

Maine has quite a few varieties of turtles native to the land. Some of these turtles are found in abundance, while others are critically endangered. Remember that you should never try to take a critically endangered turtle as a pet.

However, some of the more common turtles found in Maine make great pets, such as Painted Turtles. Always be gentle and considerate when dealing with any turtle.

Related read:

• What Do Turtles Eat in a Pond? 9 Plants They Love to Eat
• How Do Turtles Communicate? Sounds & Nonverbal Methods

Featured Image Credit by Jonathan Novack, Shutterstock