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.
Types of Turtles Found in Florida
Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae)
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)
Common Snapping Turtle
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Suwannee Snapping Turtle
Apalachicola Snapping Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelyidae)
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys)
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)
Spotted Turtles
Spotted Turtle
Painted Turtles
Southern Painted Turtle
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
Red-eared Slider
Yellow-bellied Slider
Pond Slider
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)
Gopher Tortoise
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.
