Where to find turtles in the wild

The shape of the shell gives helpful clues to how a turtle lives. Most tortoises have a large, dome-shaped shell that makes it difficult for predators to crush the shell between their jaws. Most aquatic turtles have flat, streamlined shells which aid in swimming and diving. American snapping turtles and musk turtles have small, cross-shaped plastrons that give them more efficient leg movement for walking along the bottom of ponds and streams.

The color of a turtle's shell may vary. Shells are commonly colored brown, black or olive green. In some species, shells may have red, orange, yellow or grey markings and these markings are often spots, lines or irregular blotches. One of the most colorful turtles is the eastern painted turtle which includes a yellow plastron and a black or olive shell with red markings around the rim.

Tortoises, being land-based, have rather heavy shells. In contrast, aquatic and soft-shelled turtles have lighter shells that help them avoid sinking in water and swim faster with more agility.

Turtles do not molt their skins all at once, as snakes do, but continuously, in small pieces. Tortoises also shed skin, but a lot of dead skin is allowed to accumulate into thick knobs and plates that provide protection to parts of the body outside the shell. By counting the rings it is possible to estimate the age of a turtle.

Terrestrial tortoises have short, sturdy feet. Tortoises are famous for moving slowly, in part because of their heavy, cumbersome shell, which restricts stride length. The amphibious turtles normally have limbs similar to those of tortoises, except the feet are webbed and often have long claws.

These turtles swim using all four feet in a way similar to the dog paddle, with the feet on the left and right side of the body alternately providing thrust.

Large turtles tend to swim less than smaller ones, and the very big species, such as alligator snapping turtles, hardly swim at all, preferring to simply walk along the bottom of the river or lake.

As well as webbed feet, turtles have very long claws, used to help them clamber onto riverbanks and floating logs, upon which they like to bask. Male turtles tend to have particularly long claws, and these appear to be used to stimulate the female while mating. Sea turtles are almost entirely aquatic and have flippers instead of feet. A few species of turtle rarely venture into water, but instead inhabit terrestrial habitats. Box turtles are the most well-known land turtles.

In North America, the Eastern Box Turtle frequents woodland habitats, while the Ornate Box Turtle prefers the open grasslands and prairies of the west. Where can you find turtles? Read this! Although many people like to lump turtles into one category; that of four-legged shelled creatures that love to retract their heads, they are in fact a very diverse bunch.

Chelonians, a better catchall phrase to use to describe these animals, can refer to three distinct types; turtles primarily water-dwelling , tortoises mostly land-dwelling and terrapins split time between land and water.

Tortoises have been roaming our Earth for a very long time, much longer than the dinosaurs, believe it or not. For example, their knobbed legs. Their legs allow them to dig into the earth to burrow and get away from the scorching sun. When it comes to the distribution of tortoises, they can be found in hot desert climates, such as the desert tortoise, to the huge Galapagos turtle that resides in the famous Galapagos Islands, off the coast of South America.

Tortoises can often grow to immense sizes on islands as many times these islands do not have any natural predators that threaten them. That said, one of the biggest threats for large tortoises today are humans. This is because humans hunt the creatures for food and medicine.

Unfortunately, we also often destroy their natural environment through pollution, litter, and waste. Turtles in a lake spend most of their time underwater out of sight. Expect a turtle to survive on its own for one to two weeks, indoors — but try to find it as quickly as possible to minimize any danger!

Remember: turtles don't usually drink from small dishes of water. They drink water as they are immersed in it. I can't find my turtle anywhere and I looked everywhere. I have two turtles and one clam. First of all, do not panic. Turtles normally like warm places. They also like tight places. Check in tight spots and near things that are warm or hot, such as a hot computer.

Also, you may want to leave some pellets or treats for your turtle around the house and it might come out and get it. Be patient and keep looking. Remember, a turtle can survive up to 10 days without food or water. Not Helpful 3 Helpful I have lost my turtle. I had left it out in my hall. What should I do to find it? Close any doors or gates to prevent it from leaving the house, and leave food around the area where you lost it.

I usually find my turtle in my closet, so check any warm, dark places around your house. Not Helpful 4 Helpful Payton Maguire. Try looking in marshy areas, swamp wetlands, etc. For aquatic turtles try looking in slow flowing rivers, large ponds, or small lakes. Not Helpful 10 Helpful My baby turtle is wild and she loves it in her environment in my house, is that a good sign? Yes, if the turtle is happy, that usually means it's healthy and okay.

Just keep doing what you're doing or make a daily routine on taking care of it. Not Helpful 5 Helpful W found a baby diamondback terrapin.

My friend took it home then released it into the wild. Will it be okay? Also, would I need to pay a fine for having a wild turtle? Gianna Novak. Yes, it will be okay, and it depends on where you live whether or not you would have to pay a fee. Not Helpful 7 Helpful Turtles love veggies, though you'd have to look up which kinds are best for your specific breed. Maybe some live or dried crickets or mealworms would help, too. Do a little research. They can carry many diseases, and since they are not captive bred, they will have a hard time adjusting to a new home.

Not Helpful 12 Helpful I have one in my backyard but now I can't find it and I have a big backyard. What should I do? Think about where a turtle would hide.

Would it be under a log? Near water? Usually turtles like moist environments. Not Helpful 9 Helpful