13 Turtles Found in Maryland (With Pictures)

If you’re a Maryland resident looking for a pet turtle, you’ll be pleased to know the state has 22 species ranging from the tiny bog turtle to the larger northern red-bellied cooter turtle. While not all species are suitable as pets (and a few are illegal to own), here’s a closer look at 13 turtles found in Maryland to help you decide if a pet turtle might be right for you.

The 13 Turtles Found in Maryland

1. Bog Turtle

This is one of the smallest turtle species in the States. Because of the double threat of pet traders and habitat destruction, they have been labeled as Threatened by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The bog turtle’s shell color varies from dark green to brown to black with a red or yellow pattern, but they’re also identifiable by the red, orange, or yellow patches on both sides of their heads. They live in bogs and wetlands and prefer open, sunny spaces. Their diet consists primarily of vegetation, worms, seeds, and beetles. Because their shells offer little protection, they fall prey to a host of animals such as dogs, skunks, raccoons, snapping turtles, and snakes. They can also fall prey to leeches, parasitic flies, and bacterial infections.

2. Wood Turtle

Wood turtles get their name from the wood-like texture of their shell that features patterns resembling wood grain or tree rings. The bottom part of their shell, however, is a soft yellow with black spots. Also known as the ‘redleg’ turtle due to the bright red, yellow, or orange coloring found on its legs, you can find them on land, but near water. Habitats range from forest areas to marshes. While they like munching on worms and small insects, they especially enjoy fruit such as strawberries and blackberries.

How smart are these turtles? They’ll trick worms into coming out of the ground by rocking and causing vibrations that imitate rain! Unfortunately, wood turtle eggs and their young often fall prey to ravens, cats, snapping turtles and more, as well as leech infestations.

3. Spotted Turtle

This is another of the smaller turtle species in the U.S. Living in shallow wetlands and marshes, you can identify them by their black shells covered in yellow, red, or orange spots. Female’s eyes are orange, while males are brown. They’re fond of chowing down on crustaceans and vegetation. Spotted turtles are considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need due to decreasing populations; they are particularly vulnerable to attacks from muskrats and raccoons.

4. Eastern Painted Turtle

The eastern painted turtle’s shell tone can be anywhere from dark green to black and has a border of red lines. The turtle’s skin tone will match its shell; you’ll also find yellow stripes on its head. They prefer habitats with slow, shallow water, especially if it has a muddy bottom. While their shells protect them from much, they do get preyed upon by animals such as alligators, bald eagles, and red-shouldered hawks. The turtle itself preys on vegetation, frogs, insects, and invertebrates. Fun fact – these guys prefer eating underwater because it makes it easier to move their tongues!

5. Eastern Box Turtle

Eastern box turtles have high, dark brown or black, dome-shaped shells recognizable by the yellow or orange splotches covering them. Males have red eyes, while females have yellow-brown. They like to soak in shallow water when the temperatures soar but usually spend their time in open woodlands. Their diet includes caterpillars, fruit, flowers, and insects. These turtles have few predators since they can hide in their shells if attacked (and regenerate their shells if damaged!). Mostly their numbers are depleted by owls, snakes, foxes, and raccoons attacking their young.

6. Diamondback Terrapin

The diamondback terrapin has a shell that comes in a wide variety of colors – brown, green, gray, black, and yellow – with each scale having a ring pattern. Look at their heads and you’ll see grey skin with a black shape resembling a comma. Unlike other turtles discussed thus far, these reptiles can be found in coastal habitats such as beaches and bays. Being carnivores, they stick to food like crustaceans and mollusks with only a little vegetation thrown in. In the 1900s, the diamondback terrapin nearly went extinct due to people considering it a tasty delicacy. In fact, though animals like raccoons may eat their eggs, the main threat to the terrapin tends to be humans.

7. Northern Map Turtle

Map turtles get their names due to the yellow-orange lines on their dark green or brown shells that resemble those on a map. You can also recognize them by the yellow spot behind each eye. These turtles enjoy spending time in larger bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or ponds. They subsist mostly on crayfish, mollusks, and similar foods. They are considered endangered in Maryland, mostly because of human threats but also because their nests are sometimes attacked by raccoons.

8. Northern Red-Bellied Cooter Turtle

This guy is a rather shy aquatic turtle named for the red on its bottom shell. Its top shell is dark green, brown, or black, with red lines threaded throughout. You’ll find them mostly in rivers and ponds, particularly ones with silt on the bottom. Adults tend to eat more vegetation, while their younger counterparts eat more meat. Threats to these turtles include herons and raccoons.

9. Eastern Mud Turtle

This is a rather plain turtle with its patternless dark brown or yellowish shell. A little harder to identify, you can usually recognize them by the streaks of white or yellow on their head or the straight sides of their shell. Their name is apt, considering they spend their time in slower bodies of water with muddy bottoms such as small ponds, ditches, and marshy or swampy areas. Their diets generally consist of worms, plants, snails, and occasionally fish. While their eggs are attacked by raccoons, adults are attacked by herons and alligators.

10. Eastern Musk Turtle

You may know these fellas as the stinkpot, called that because of the incredibly foul-smelling liquid they release as a defensive mechanism. While this smelly liquid is useful, they do still occasionally fall prey to raccoons, larger fish, and snakes. You can also tell a musk turtle by the ridge that crosses the length of their shells and the two white or yellow stripes on the head. Females are larger, while males have longer tails with a spiky end. Abundant in the U.S., you’ll find these turtles lazing about in shallow waters such as streams or ponds. They eat a diet ranging from small fish and tadpoles to fruits and plants. One note – they may be cranky if you try handling them!

11. Snapping Turtle

This turtle is named as such for a reason – that reason being they’re ornery creatures with powerful jaws who will bite if they feel threatened. Interestingly, if they’re in the water and feel threatened, they prefer to slip away instead of snapping. As the largest freshwater turtle in Maryland, they are easily identified by their large heads and beak-shaped mouths. Shell colors range from dark green to dark brown to black. And did you know their claws are almost as sharp as a dog’s? Snapping turtles don’t like to bask very often; they prefer being in the water. Being at the top of the food chain, they will actively hunt down prey such as fish, frogs, and even smaller waterfowl. Adults have few predators, but eggs are eaten by crows, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

12. Spiny Softshell Turtle

This is a rare Maryland species with a unique shell that appears leather-like but has a sandpapery feel. While typically tan in color, their shells can range from grey-green to yellow-brown and usually have dark splotches. Males are smaller with a range of 5-9 inches, while the females are much larger ranging from 12-16 inches. They reside in freshwaters such as rivers and lakes that have sandy bottoms and little vegetation. Diets include a variety of fish, aquatic insects, mussels, and occasional plant life. They are aggressive and have been known to scratch or bite when handled. In fact, adult spiny softshell turtles have few natural predators (other than humans) because of the vicious bite they can deliver.

13. Midland Painted Turtle

The midland painted turtle looks similar to other painted turtles (matching skin and shell tones with light stripes on its head), which makes it harder to identify; the defining feature is a dark shadow on its bottom shell. The most noticeable basking turtle in Maryland, you’ll find it in quiet, shallow waters such as coves and shores, enjoying a diet of aquatic insects and plants. Young turtles have several types of predators including snakes, chipmunks, skunks, foxes, and muskrats. Older turtles have fewer predators, like alligators, crows, and bald eagles. Did you know that these turtles can flip themselves over again if they’ve ended up on their back?

Conclusion

While turtles aren’t a low-maintenance pet and are less than ideal for young children, if you’re looking for a lifelong companion, you might find them worth the time and effort. If you decide that a pet turtle is right for you, you should check Maryland’s complete run-down of turtle laws. Not living in Maryland but interested in a turtle native to there? Read up on turtle laws in all 50 states to make sure it’s okay to own one. Always do your homework before bringing a turtle friend into your home!

Featured Image Credit by Anna-2118, Shutterstock