Turtles in Virginia

Virginia is covered with deciduous hardwood forests and shortleaf pine forests and also has the largest estuary in the United States – Chesapeake Bay. As a result, both freshwater and saltwater turtles like the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle, and the Red-eared Slider.

Turtles in Virginia (VA)

Types of Turtles Found in Virginia

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

Map Turtles

  • Northern Map Turtle

Terrapins

Spotted Turtles

Cooters

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

Box Turtles

Glyptemys Turtles

Sliders

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

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

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

  • Eastern Spiny Softshell

FAQ

Are there any endangered turtles in Virginia?

Some endangered freshwater turtles found in Virginia include the Bog and Spotted Turtles. All of the sea turtles that visit the state are also at risk.

Where to see sea turtles in Virginia?

Chesapeake Bay is a great place to see all the saltwater turtles that visit the state.

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