Andy Walters
Colorado is home to a variety of turtles, with five native species and one invasive species. The native species include the Western Painted Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle, the Yellow Mud Turtle, the Ornate Box Turtle, and the Spiny Softshell Turtle. The Western Painted Turtle is Colorado's state reptile and can be found in wetland areas, logs, and rocks. The Common Snapping Turtle, with its powerful jaws and long neck, is often found near permanent bodies of water. The Yellow Mud Turtle prefers muddy waters like ponds and rivers and has a yellowish body and shell. The Ornate Box Turtle is the only terrestrial turtle native to Colorado and can be found in the Great Plains. The Spiny Softshell Turtle is one of the largest turtle species in Colorado and is found in waterways along the eastern margin of the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Turtle Species in Colorado | 5-6 |
| Number of Native Species | 5 |
| Number of Aquatic Species | 4-5 |
| Number of Terrestrial Species | 1 |
| Most Common Species | Western Painted Turtle |
| Colorado State Reptile | Western Painted Turtle |
| Species at Risk | Yellow Mud Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle |
| Aggressive Species | Common Snapping Turtle |
| Largest Species | Spiny Softshell Turtle |
What You'll Learn
Common Snapping Turtle
The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is one of five species of turtles native to Colorado, four of which are aquatic. It is a large, hard-shelled reptile, with a shell diameter of up to 20 inches. The shell is rough and jagged, with a saw-toothed rear edge and three longitudinal ridges in juveniles. The tail is long and resembles an alligator's tail. It is equipped with a large, hooked beak or jaw, and relatively large webbed claws. The carapace is typically brown or olive in colour.
These turtles are active as early as March and typically become inactive to brumate in October. They spend most of their time scavenging for food along the bottom of bodies of water or crawling between bodies of water. They are also often observed basking near or over the water. Males are more active in March and April, searching for females, while females are more active in May and June, looking for nesting sites.
As adults, common snapping turtles have very few predators other than humans. However, as eggs and juveniles, they are preyed upon by small mammals, bullfrogs, other turtles, fish, predatory birds, and snakes.
In terms of conservation status, common snapping turtles are considered a species of least concern in the United States. In Colorado, they are classified as a small game species, and there are currently no signs of their decline in the state.
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Western Painted Turtle
The Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) is the most common turtle in Colorado and is the official state reptile. It is a small, brightly coloured aquatic turtle with a smooth upper shell. The upper shell is olive, olive brown, or black in colour, with irregular yellow lines, and the shell scales may have one or more yellow bars and a red-orange outer edge. The lower shell is yellow-orange, bright orange, or red, with a prominent pattern of brown markings. The skin is dark brown or black, with yellow lines on the neck and forelimbs that can be orange or red.
The turtles are active during the day and sleep during the night in pools or ponds. They require objects such as partly submerged logs, rocks, or mats of aquatic plants to climb and bask on. They eat aquatic plants, algae, snails, crayfish, earthworms, leeches, insects, and fish, and will also consume carrion.
Courtship and mating occur in shallow water from April to June, and females lay their eggs on land in gentle, south-facing slopes with loose dirt or sand and some low vegetation. There can be 4-23 eggs per clutch, with 2-3 clutches per season. The eggs hatch in about 8-11 weeks.
Male Western Painted Turtles are smaller and flatter than females, growing up to 6 inches long, while females can grow up to 10 inches long, likely to support egg production. In the wild, they can live for at least 30-40 years.
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Yellow Mud Turtle
The yellow mud turtle, also known as the yellow-necked mud turtle, is a species of turtle native to the central United States and Mexico. It is one of five species of turtles native to Colorado, four of which are aquatic.
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Ornate Box Turtle
The ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) is one of only two terrestrial species of turtles native to the Great Plains of the United States. It is also one of two different subspecies of Terrapene ornata. The ornate box turtle is Colorado's sole terrestrial turtle species and can be found across the Great Plains, including the short grass prairie of eastern Colorado.
The ornate box turtle is a relatively small turtle, measuring just 4-6" (10-15 cm) when full-grown. The males are slightly smaller than the females, and both have a similar appearance. The turtle's shell has a fancy look, with each shell segment (scute) featuring a radiating pattern of yellow lines on a dark brown background. The bottom shells are hinged, allowing the limbs and head to retract into the shell. The upper shell is hard and domed, dark with yellow streaks or spots, and can be up to six inches long. The innermost toe of the hind foot is thick and turned inward, and the iris and spots on the forelimbs are usually reddish. The rear portion of the lower shell is slightly concave, and the vent is located beyond the rear edge of the upper shell when the tail is extended.
The ornate box turtle inhabits grasslands, open woodlands, pastures, and marshy meadows. They are usually found on land rather than in water, although they sometimes soak in shallow water or pools to regulate their body temperature. Ornate box turtles hibernate underground in burrows during winter and are most active at dawn and dusk when the temperature is lower.
The ornate box turtle is an omnivore, feeding on snails, insects, berries, fungi, slugs, worms, roots, flowers, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, and eggs. They have a varied diet, which means they face little competition for food resources. The lifespan of the ornate box turtle is around 32 to 37 years, with males occurring about half as frequently as females.
The ornate box turtle is currently listed as threatened in Illinois and is a protected species in six Midwestern states, including Colorado. The main threats to the ornate box turtle include habitat destruction, agriculture, development, over-exploitation for the pet trade, and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on minimising human contact, preserving undisturbed habitats, and educating the public about the risks to this unique terrestrial turtle species.
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Spiny Softshell Turtle
The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. It is one of five species of turtles native to Colorado, four of which are aquatic. Spiny softshell turtles are often found in waterways along the eastern margin of Colorado. They are widespread, common, and not threatened, but some local populations are under pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
There are six species of turtles in Colorado, but only five of them are native to the state. The native species include the Western Painted Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle, the Yellow Mud Turtle, the Ornate Box Turtle, and the Spiny Softshell Turtle. The Red-eared Slider is an invasive species that was likely introduced to the state as pets and then released into the wild.
Turtles in Colorado can be found in various habitats, depending on the species. The Western Painted Turtle, for example, can be found in wetland areas, permanent ponds, reservoirs, marshes, and slow-moving streams. The Yellow Mud Turtle prefers waters with muddy bottoms, such as ponds, reservoirs, and rivers. The Common Snapping Turtle is often found in and around permanent bodies of water, while the Ornate Box Turtle can be found in the Great Plains, including the short grass prairie of eastern Colorado. The Spiny Softshell Turtle is typically found in waterways along the eastern margin of the state.
The Yellow Mud Turtle, while common in most US states, is considered at risk in Colorado due to habitat loss and disease. The Ornate Box Turtle is also listed as threatened due to the pet trade and habitat loss.
