Turtles in Florida

Florida is home to the highest number of turtles and tortoises in the United States. This is due to abundant freshwater and saltwater habitats, including the Suwanee River, Lake Okeechobee, and the Gulf of Mexico. Some notable turtles living here include the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, the Florida Snapping Turtle, and the Florida Box Turtle.

Turtles in Florida (FL)

Types of Turtles Found in Florida

Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)

  • Leatherback Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys)

  • Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Spotted Turtles

Painted Turtles

Chicken Turtles

  • Eastern Chicken Turtle
  • Florida Chicken Turtle 

Map Turtles

  • Barbour’s Map Turtle
  • Escambia Map Turtle
  • False Map Turtle

Terrapins

  • Carolina Diamondback Terrapin
  • Ornate Diamondback Terrapin
  • Mangrove Diamondback Terrapin
  • Eastern Florida Diamondback Terrapin

Cooters

  • Eastern River Cooter
  • Suwannee Cooter
  • Coastal Plain Cooter
  • Florida Red-bellied Cooter
  • Peninsula Cooter

Box Turtles

  • Gulf Coast Box Turtle
  • Three-toed Box Turtle
  • Florida Box Turtle

Sliders

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

  • Striped Mud Turtle 
  • Eastern Mud Turtle
  • Loggerhead Musk Turtle 
  • Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
  • Florida Mud Turtle
  • Pacific Coast Giant Musk Turtle
  • Stripeneck Musk Turtle

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

  • Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell
  • Florida Softshell
  • Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell

Tortoises (Testudinidae)

FAQ

Are there any endangered turtles in Florida?

Three of the sea turtles that visit the beaches of the Sunshine State are at risk of going extinct. These are the Kemp’s Ridley, the Hawksbill, and the Leatherback Sea Turtles. The IUCN lists the first two as “Critically Endangered” or “CR,” while the last is “Vulnerable” or “VU.”

Where to see sea turtles in Florida? 

There are several places where one can observe sea turtles in Florida. These include Melbourne Beach, Vero Beach, and the Canaveral National Seashore.

When do sea turtles hatch in Florida?

From March to October, over 90% of the country’s sea turtles make their way to the beaches of Florida to lay their eggs. These eggs hatch between late summer and early fall.

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