Ohio Turtles

Last Updated on August 13, 2023 by Cindy

There are 12 species of turtles in Ohio.  Read on to learn about all Ohio turtles and learn how to identify turtles in Ohio.

Turtles in Ohio

Turtles may seem low-key, but they are truly fascinating animals. Did you know that turtles live all over the world? There are currently 12 species of turtles in Ohio. We’ll go over all the specifics of Ohio turtles in the sections below.

When it comes to turtles and tortoises you might be wondering if they are the same. They are not. Technically speaking, the word “turtle” is an umbrella-type of term that includes both groups of turtles and tortoises.

Ohio Turtles

Turtles are actually some of the oldest animals around. They are among the oldest group of reptiles. Fun Fact: some turtles can live to be 150+ years old! Some of the largest turtles can weigh more than 1000+ pounds.

Turtles also have a second shell. They have their outer shell, which we can see. They also have a lower shell which is called the plastron. 

Have you ever heard a turtle make a noise? Turtles actually are not silent. They make a range of noises, depending on the species.

Midland Painted Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

While there are lots of Ohio Turtles, the Midland Painted Turtle is the most common of the turtles in Ohio. Midland Painted Turtles like to lay in the sun, so chances are, if you’ve been on a nature walk and seen a turtle in the sun, it is probably one of the many Midland Painted Turtles in Ohio! These turtles like to lay on logs near the water’s surface 

This Ohio turtle is recognizable in a few ways, when looking down on the top of the Midland Painted Turtle, you will see little red dots on the outside edges of the shell. You may also see some red color markings on the turtle’s tail, neck, or legs. The red markings are what helped to give this turtle its name: painted turtle.

The upper (or outer) shell of the Midland Painted Turtle usually measures 4.5 inches to 5.5 inches in length. The shell is typically dark green and sometimes appears to be almost black. This particular Ohio turtle can be found in most Ohio counties. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Chrysemys Picta Marginata

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Aquatic

Red-Eared Slider - Turtles in Ohio

The Red-Eared Slider is a thick red marking on the side of its head behind its eye (or where its ear would be). This makes this Ohio turtle easy to identify! It does NOT have any other red markings on its shell, neck, legs, etc. The only red marking is behind its eye. The dark green, almost black color of the shell reminds you of the Midland Painted Turtle. These turtles are found mostly in southwest Ohio.

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Trachyemys Scripta Elegans

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Wood Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

These turtles are on the endangered list. They live 40+ years and weigh anywhere between 1-3 pounds. They have a brown outer shell and burnt orange colored skin. Their outer shell ranges from just over 6 inches to almost 10 inches in length. Wood Turtles are omnivores, they typically eat insect larvae, fish, invertebrates, plant matter, and crayfish.

These turtles are hard to find in Ohio, if you are lucky enough to spot a Wood Turtle in Ohio, it will more than likely be in the Northeastern part of the state.  Wood Turtles prefer to be in an area with moving water and are most active during the daytime hours. They like to spend their time sunning on a log or a bank of a stream. 

What do wood turtles eat?

Wood Turtles are omnivores, they typically eat insect larvae, fish, invertebrates, plant matter, and crayfish.

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Glyptemys Insculpta

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Spotted Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

The Spotted Turtles in Ohio tend to be a bit smaller. Their outer shell is usually between 3 inches to just short of 5 inches in length.  The outer shell has a black-to-bluish color and it is sprinkled with lots of yellow dots.

This Ohio Turtle likes to hang out in shallow water areas, such as wetlands and small streams. Sometimes you might find the spotted turtle around wet prairie areas and some woods. These turtles can be found in much of Ohio, including central, northwest, and northeast.

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Clemmys Guttata

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Eastern Box Turtle - Ohio Box Turtle

The Eastern Box Turtle is found in southern and western Ohio. There is debate on whether the eastern box turtle is a native species in the northeast region of Ohio, The outer shell of the Eastern Box Turtle is dome-shaped. The turtle generally reaches between 4.5 inches and 6 inches in length. The outer shell of this turtle is usually brown/black and it has some yellow markings. 

What gives this turtle its name is that the lower shell has “hinges” in the front and back. This allows the turtle to retreat completely into its shelf and shut the doors, hence the “box” name. It is a slow to mature turtle, but in the wild, it can reach 100 years of age! This turtle is on the move, which makes it an easy target to be hit by a car as it tries to cross the road.  

When it comes to habitat, the Eastern Box Turtle likes woodlands, meadows, hillsides, fields, marshy areas, and even sand dunes! They like to soak in shallow puddles of water, the edges of ponds, and also shallow streams.

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Terrapene Carolina Carolina

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Terrestrial

Blanding’s Turtle - Ohio Box Turtle

The Blanding’s Turtle has a darker outer shell with yellow speckles that often come together to form streaks on the turtle. The turtle has a yellow throat and chin. The outer shell reaches between 7 inches to 9 inches in length.

Just like the Eastern Box Turtle, the Blanding’s Turtle has hinges on its shell. The front hinge doesn’t close as tight as the back hinge.  So the shell cannot be closed completely. This turtle likes to hang out in shallow water, marshes, bogs, swamps, and also ponds. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Emydoidea Blandingii

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Snapping Turtle - Snapping Turtle Ohio

The Snapping Turtle is the largest species of turtle in the state of Ohio. These turtles can grow to weigh up to 55+ pounds! Its outer shell can range from 8 inches to 18 inches in length. With the snapping turtle, the males are bigger than the females.

Snapping turtles typically aren’t basking in the sun, they prefer a muddy bottom area that is full of vegetation. You can often find a snapping turtle in a shallow stream or pond.

The snapping turtle’s eyes are very high on their heads. This allows the snapping turtle to see above the water's surface while their body is still underwater.  The snapping turtle gets its name from its powerful jaws and pointed beak.

The snap can inflict a very painful bite to a finger, so it's best to keep your distance from this Ohio turtle! The turtles are far less aggressive in water than on land. During the winter these Ohio turtles hibernate in shallow water or mud. They bury themselves in the mud and only light their heads to breathe. They tend to hibernate in groups. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Chelydra Serpentina

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Common Map Turtle - Types of Turtles in Ohio 

It is said that the Common Map Turtle gets its name from the yellow lines that decorate its shells. The yellow lines look like elevation lines on maps. The yellow lines are vibrant within younger turtles, but fade with age. It has a ridge on its shell going from the neck area to the tail. 

When it comes to length, the females win this game. The average common map female turtle is 10 inches in length compared to only 5 inches in length in males.  Common Map Turtles like deep water, so you can find them in lakes or larger rivers.

The common map turtle is not too fond of humans, usually, when they spot a human they slip back down under the water to hide. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Graptemys Geographica

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Aquatic

Ouachita Map Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

The outer shell of the Ouachita Turtle can grow to about 11 inches in length for females but the male Ochita Turtles are much smaller at about 6 inches in length.  This Ohio Turtle has a yellow marking under each eye and the side of his mouth area. The Ouachita turtle has a ridge on its back that forms spines upward.

This turtle likes to live in large river areas and mostly eats aquatic invertebrates. It can be found mostly in the southern areas of Ohio. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Grapetemys Ouachintesis 

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Common Musk Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

Common Musk Turtles are pretty small. They are usually between 2 inches and 5 inches in length. Their shells are a very dark brown or black and often streaked.  Their shells typically have an accumulation of algae growth. Another way to identify the common musk turtle is the yellow stripe or streak near each eye.

These turtles are mostly nocturnal. Common Musk Turtles like to eat seeds, insects, tadpoles, snails, algae, and sometimes fish carrion. The common musk turtle will secrete a very harsh stinky yellow musk when they feel threatened or alarmed. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Sternotherus Odoratus

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle - Turtles in Ohio

The Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the United States. What makes this Ohio turtle very different from the other turtles is that its shell is actually soft, flat, and rubbery. The edges of the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle are quite pliable. Females range in length from 7 inches to 19 inches, whereas males range from 5 inches to 10 inches in length.

When looking at the face area of the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle, you will notice that the nose is long and almost like a pig's. This turtle will eat almost anything, such as insects, fish, crayfish, etc. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Spinifera

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle - Softshell Turtle Ohio

The Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle is another softshell turtle found in Ohio, just like the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle. This turtle swims very quickly, it is how it escapes danger since it does not have a hard shell to defend itself.

Typically, Midland Smooth Softshell Turtles have an olive gray or brown shell that has spots of gray, olive green, or brown colors. The lower shell is a lighter cream color. The male turtles of this species have very faint markings whereas the females have more pronounced markings. 

Fun fact: the scientific name of this turtle is - Apalone Mutica Mutica

Fun fact #2: the preferred habitat/environment for this turtle is - Semi-Aquatic

Ohio Turtles Post

Have you spotted any Ohio Turtles during your outdoor adventures? We'd love to know what turtles in Ohio you have spotted! Drop us a comment below and let us know!

You can also find lots of other wonderful wildlife in our great state! Frogs In Ohio are aplenty, and you can read all about them in our post dedicated to them!

If you prefer birdwatching, our posts dedicated to Owls In Ohio, Hummingbirds In Ohio, and even Bats In Ohio can help you spot your favorites!