Turtles Of Oklahoma: Species And Habitats Explored

Oklahoma is home to a variety of turtles, with more than 30% of the species native to the US found in the state. The state has 17 or 18 native species, including land-dwelling and aquatic turtles. The most common species include the Common Snapping Turtle, the Southern Painted Turtle, and the Ornate Box Turtle. The Ornate Box Turtle is one of two truly terrestrial turtles in Oklahoma, along with the Three-Toed or Eastern Box Turtle. The Ornate Box Turtle is easily distinguished by its high-domed shell, bright yellow lines on its carapace and plastron, and non-webbed hind feet. It is often found in open spaces such as prairies and grasslands and is a popular choice for pets. The Common Snapping Turtle, on the other hand, is a large, freshwater species found in most regions of Oklahoma, often in large bodies of water. It is known for its powerful jaws and aggressive behaviour when out of the water. Another interesting species is the Alligator Snapping Turtle, the largest freshwater turtle species in the world, found in eastern counties of Oklahoma. With its massive jaws and long, tough shell, it is a sight to behold.

Ornate Box Turtles are one of two truly terrestrial turtles in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to 17 native species of turtles, including two land-dwelling species and 15 aquatic species. The Ornate Box Turtle is one of the two land-dwelling turtles in the state. The other is the Three-Toed or Eastern Box Turtle.

The Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapine ornata) is easily distinguished from other turtles in the region. It has a high-domed shell, bright yellow lines on the scutes of its carapace and plastron, non-webbed hind feet, and a plastron that is hinged at both ends. Its shell is dark brown or black with yellow or orange stripes. The adult males of the species have red eyes, while the females have brown or yellow eyes. Ornate Box Turtles are omnivores, feeding on insects, carrion, and plant material, especially fruits. They are found in open spaces such as grasslands and prairies, as well as woodland areas. Although considered endangered in some states, they are relatively common in Oklahoma, especially in the western counties.

The Ornate Box Turtle is a popular choice for a pet due to its attractive appearance and docile nature. They have a lifespan of up to 40 years and typically weigh less than 2 pounds. They are also known to be more active after rainfall. However, they are at risk of collisions with cars and illegal harvesting.

Three-toed Box Turtles are a subspecies of the Eastern Box Turtle

Three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) are a subspecies of the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina). They are native to the south-central region of the United States, including Oklahoma, where they are mainly found in the state's eastern half.

Three-toed box turtles are small, terrestrial turtles that typically have three toes on each hind limb, though some individuals have four. Their shells are distinctively high-domed and can grow to a length of 4.5 to 7 inches (12.5 to 18 cm). The carapace (upper shell) is often black, brown, or olive, sometimes with faint yellow, orange, or red markings. The plastron (lower shell) is hinged and usually a straw yellow colour.

Three-toed box turtles inhabit a range of environments, including woodlands, grasslands, marshes, and meadows. They are highly adaptable and can migrate to maintain their preferred humidity levels. They are omnivores, feeding on insects, snails, slugs, berries, mushrooms, and vegetation.

In the wild, three-toed box turtles can live for at least 50 years, and some reports suggest they can reach ages of over 100 years. They are a popular choice for pets due to their adaptability and relatively good health in captivity. However, they have specific care requirements, such as a suitable enclosure, regulated temperature, and adequate water and humidity.

In Oklahoma, three-toed box turtles are one of two truly terrestrial turtles, the other being the ornate box turtle. They are relatively common and can be found in woodlands, prairies, and thickets in the eastern part of the state.

Common Snapping Turtles are widespread throughout Oklahoma

The Common Snapping Turtle, also known by the names Common Snapper, Eastern Snapping Turtle, and Snapper, is a large, freshwater species found in most regions of Oklahoma. They inhabit larger bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, marshes, ponds, rivers, and slow streams. They are easily identified by their distinctive hooked jaws, strong claws, and long tails bearing saw-toothed spines. Their shells are typically dark brown or green with three prominent ridges in the centre.

Common Snapping Turtles are highly aggressive when on land and will hiss and bite if they feel threatened or cornered. They are known for their powerful jaws, which can cause serious infections that may even require amputation. They are docile in water, and placing them back into the water is one of the best ways to calm an aggressive individual.

Common Snapping Turtles are strong swimmers and feed on amphibians, fish, waterfowl, and occasionally plants and smaller turtles. They are often found in areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation, which they use for hiding and hunting. They are also known to hunt for food on land.

Common Snapping Turtles are one of three species of snapping turtles found in Oklahoma, the other two being the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the Razor-backed Musk Turtle. They are also one of the 17 native species of turtle found in the state.

Alligator Snapping Turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the United States

Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) are the largest freshwater turtles in the United States. They are also the largest species of freshwater turtles in North America and are among the largest turtles in the world.

These turtles are native to the southern United States and are found in rivers and streams that feed into the Gulf of Mexico. Their range stretches from Iowa, west into Texas, and east into Georgia and northern Florida. They are predominantly aquatic, spending most of their time in the water and favouring the deeper beds of large rivers, canals, and lakes.

Alligator Snapping Turtles have a distinctive appearance, with a large head, strong jaws, hooked beaks, and spiked, dark-brown shells. Their shells have three large, pronounced ridges, or keels, that run from the front to the back, giving them a jagged look. Their skin is brown to greyish in colour, with lighter undersides.

These turtles are apex predators and play an important ecological role as scavengers and regulators of fish populations. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish, other aquatic animals, small mammals, and some vegetation. They are most active at night and use a unique worm-like appendage on their tongues to lure prey.

Alligator Snapping Turtles are long-lived, with a lifespan of up to about 45 years in the wild and a recorded lifespan of 70 years in captivity. They reach sexual maturity between 11 and 13 years and typically mate in early spring. Females travel inland to dig nests and lay clutches of 8 to 60 eggs.

Despite their impressive size and powerful jaws, Alligator Snapping Turtles face significant threats, primarily from uncontrolled wild harvesting for meat, shells, and the exotic pet trade. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List and are protected under CITES Appendix III.

Common Musk Turtles are also known as 'Stinkpots' due to their strong-smelling musk glands

Common Musk Turtles, also known as Eastern Musk Turtles, are native to Oklahoma. They are found in the southeastern and northeastern areas of the state, where they thrive in slow-moving water, such as marshes and bogs. These turtles are small, measuring between 4 and 5 inches in length. They have dark brown or black shells, with two yellowish stripes stretching from their nostrils to their necks. They also have fleshy barbels on their chins and throats.

Common Musk Turtles are also known as Stinkpots due to their strong-smelling musk glands. When threatened, they release a strong odour from these glands as a defence mechanism to ward off predators. This scent is detectable on land, in water, and even in the air. In fact, their musky odour is so strong that it has earned them their nickname.

The scientific name for the Common Musk Turtle is 'Sternotherus odoratus'. This name likely refers to the distinctive smell that these turtles can produce. 'Odoratus' means 'fragrant' or 'sweet-smelling' in Latin, though in this case, it is used ironically, as the scent produced by Common Musk Turtles is quite unpleasant.

Common Musk Turtles are nocturnal and omnivorous. They feed on small amphibians, molluscs, and crustaceans. They are skilled at climbing trees, and will do so to avoid predators and find a safe place to rest. They are also excellent swimmers and rarely venture far from the water.

Common Musk Turtles are just one of many species of turtles found in Oklahoma. The state is home to a diverse range of turtles, including land-dwelling box turtles and aquatic snapping turtles, mud turtles, and softshell turtles.

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