Turtles in California

California is one of the most biodiverse states in the entire United States. Each part of the state has wildly different habitats, leading to a diverse variety of turtles living here. This includes Loggerhead and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles near the coast, the Red-eared Slider and the Texas Spiny Softshell in freshwater bodies, and the Desert Tortoise in arid areas.

Types of Turtles Found in California

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

Common Snapping Turtle

Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys)

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

Western Painted Turtle

Sliders

Red-eared Slider

Pond Turtles

Western Pond Turtle

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

Sonoran Mud Turtle

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

Texas Spiny Softshell

Tortoises (Testudinidae)

Desert Tortoise

FAQ

Are there any endangered turtles in California?

Several of the turtles found in California are at risk of going extinct if proper measures to protect them aren’t put into place. These include the Desert Tortoise and several sea turtles like the Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

Where to see sea turtles in California?

California’s beaches are often visited by Green Sea Turtles, which come on land to lay their eggs.