Turtles in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is bordered by several freshwater bodies like the Montreal River and Lake Superior in the north and Lake Michigan in the east. It also has a warm continental climate and plenty of forests along the Mississippi River. These make the state a great place for turtles to live, including the Painted Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle, the Northern Map Turtle, the Ornate Box Turtle, and the Midland Smooth Softshell.

Types of Turtles Found in Wisconsin

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae)

• Common Snapping Turtle

Emydid Turtles (Emydidae)

Painted Turtles

• Painted Turtle

Map Turtles

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

Blanding’s Turtles

•  Blanding’s Turtle

Box Turtles

• Ornate Box Turtle
• Western Box Turtle

Glyptemys Turtles

• Wood Turtle

Mud and Musk Turtles (Kinosternidae)

• Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

Softshell Turtles (Trionychidae)

• Midland Smooth Softshell
• Eastern Spiny Softshell

FAQ