Turtles in North Carolina

North Carolina has three habitats: mountains, rolling hills, and coasts. Freshwater turtles like the Common Snapping Turtle and the Spotted Turtle live in the more forested areas near rivers and lakes. Meanwhile, sea turtles are often spotted swimming off the state’s coasts in the Atlantic.

Turtles in North Carolina (NC)

Types of Turtles Found in North Carolina

Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

  • Common Snapping Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)

  • Leatherback Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys)

  • Hawksbill Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

Chicken Turtles

  • Eastern Chicken Turtle

Terrapins

Spotted Turtles

  • Spotted Turtle

Cooters

  • Florida Cooter
  • Coastal Plain Cooter
  • Eastern River Cooter
  • Northern Red-bellied Cooter

Box Turtles

Glyptemys Turtles

  • Bog Turtle

Sliders

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

  • Striped Mud Turtle 
  • Eastern Mud Turtle
  • Loggerhead Musk Turtle 
  • Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
  • Striped-necked Musk Turtle 

FAQ

Are there any endangered turtles in North Carolina?

Several freshwater turtles, like the Bog Turtle and the Spotted Turtle, are at risk, while all the sea turtles that can be spotted in the state’s waters are threatened.

Where to see sea turtles in North Carolina? 

Several places in North Carolina are visited by sea turtles, including the Topsail-area Sea Turtle Hospital, the Bald Head Island Conservancy, and multiple beaches on the Brunswick Islands and Wilmington.

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