Turtles in Kentucky

Kentucky has a humid climate and has several rivers flowing through it. This includes the Kentucky River, the Licking River, and the Green River, to name a few. These freshwater habitats support several turtle species, including the Common Snapping Turtle, the Red-eared Slider, and the Eastern Spiny Softshell.

Types of Turtles Found in Kentucky

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle
• Alligator Snapping Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

• Midland Painted Turtle

Map Turtles

• Northern Map Turtle
• Ouachita Map Turtle
• False Map Turtle
• Mississippi Map Turtle

Cooters

• Eastern River Cooter
• Hieroglyphic River Cooter

Box Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle

Sliders

• Red-eared Slider
• Pond Slider

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Eastern Mud Turtle
• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Midland Smooth Softshell
• Eastern Spiny Softshell

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