The AllTurtles Species Finder helps you compare turtles, tortoises, box turtles, and sea turtles by size, habitat, range, care needs, and pet suitability. Use it to narrow down species, then read the full AllTurtles guide before making care, adoption, or identification decisions.
This tool is useful whether you are researching a pet turtle, comparing tortoise species, identifying a wild turtle you saw, or learning about protected sea turtles. It is a starting point, not a replacement for a full care guide, local wildlife law, or reptile veterinarian advice.
Quick Answer
Use the Species Finder to filter turtles by group, size, habitat, region, beginner fit, and pet suitability. For pet research, focus on captive-bred, legal, manageable species with care requirements you can meet long term.
Sea turtles are included for education and identification only. They are protected wildlife and are not pet turtles.
After choosing a species, use the Turtle Tank Size Calculator and the correct setup guide to plan the enclosure.
AllTurtles Species Finder
Filter the species below, compare up to three animals, and click through to the full guide for care, identification, and setup details.
Find Turtle and Tortoise Species
Search turtles, tortoises, box turtles, and sea turtles by name, region, habitat, care level, and pet suitability.
How to Use the Species Finder
Start by choosing the animal group you want to explore. Then use the filters to narrow the list by adult size, habitat, region, care difficulty, and pet suitability.
- Choose tortoise if you want land-dwelling turtles such as Russian tortoises, Greek tortoises, red-footed tortoises, sulcata tortoises, or giant tortoises.
- Choose turtle if you want aquatic or semi-aquatic species such as sliders, painted turtles, map turtles, musk turtles, mud turtles, cooters, softshell turtles, or snapping turtles.
- Choose box turtle if you want terrestrial or semi-terrestrial box turtles such as eastern, ornate, three-toed, Gulf Coast, or Asian box turtles.
- Choose sea turtle if you want to learn about protected marine species such as green, loggerhead, hawksbill, leatherback, olive ridley, Kemp’s ridley, and flatback sea turtles.
Choose the Right Species Group
Different turtles need very different care. A red-eared slider needs a water-filled aquarium with a dry basking area. A box turtle needs land space, humidity, hides, and a shallow water dish. A tortoise needs floor space, UVB, heat, substrate, and a species-appropriate plant diet.
| Species group | Best for | Main setup type | Start here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtles | Aquatic and semi-aquatic species | Aquarium, pond, or stock tank with basking area | Turtle Species |
| Tortoises | Land-dwelling species | Tortoise table or outdoor enclosure | Tortoise Species |
| Box turtles | Land-based turtles with hinged shells | Humid terrestrial enclosure or outdoor pen | Box Turtle Species |
| Sea turtles | Education, identification, and conservation | Wild ocean habitat | Sea Turtle Species |
What This Tool Can Help With
- Compare adult size before choosing a pet turtle or tortoise.
- Find species that may fit your climate, space, and care experience.
- Learn which species are aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or marine.
- Identify which species need special legal or conservation caution.
- Find the full AllTurtles guide for a species you are researching.
- Compare a few species side by side before choosing which guide to read next.
What This Tool Cannot Do
The Species Finder is not a veterinary diagnosis tool, legal approval tool, or a guarantee that a species is right for your home. Always check local laws, ask reputable breeders or rescues about captive-bred availability, and read the full care guide before getting any turtle or tortoise.
- Do not use this tool to collect wild turtles.
- Do not use this tool to buy protected or restricted species without checking the law.
- Do not use this tool to treat illness or injury.
- Do not assume a baby turtle will stay small.
- Do not assume a sea turtle can be kept as a pet.
Plan the Setup After Choosing a Species
Once you narrow down a species, plan the enclosure around adult size, not hatchling size. Most care problems start when a turtle or tortoise outgrows the setup.
Use these guides next.
- Turtle Tank Size Calculator
- Turtle Tank Setup Guide
- Box Turtle Setup Guide
- Tortoise Setup Guide
- Best Turtle Tanks
- Best Filter for Turtle Tank
- Best Turtle Dock
- Best Heat Lamp for Turtles
- Best UVB Bulbs for Turtles
Species Finder by Page
You can also use a focused version of the tool on each species hub.
| Page | Recommended tool | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Tortoise Species | Tortoise-only finder | Compare tortoises by size, habitat, beginner fit, and space needs |
| Turtle Species | Turtle-only finder | Compare aquatic and semi-aquatic turtle species |
| Box Turtle Species | Box turtle-only finder | Compare box turtles by range, habitat, adult size, and care needs |
| Sea Turtle Species | Sea turtle-only finder | Learn to compare protected sea turtle species for education and identification |
Regional Turtle Guides
Trying to identify a turtle by where you saw it? These regional guides may help.
- Turtles in the USA
- Turtles in Canada
- Turtles in Eurasia
- Turtles in Central America
- Turtles in South America
Legal and Safety Reminders
Before buying, adopting, moving, or keeping any turtle or tortoise, check your local laws. Many native turtles are protected, some species are invasive in certain regions, and some tortoises and sea turtles have strict conservation protections.
- Choose captive-bred animals when keeping a legal pet species.
- Do not collect wild turtles or tortoises.
- Do not release pet turtles into the wild.
- Wash your hands after handling turtles, tank water, food bowls, substrate, or equipment.
- Contact a reptile veterinarian if a turtle is injured, sick, not eating, floating oddly, breathing poorly, or showing shell problems.
Helpful next pages include Turtle Laws, Turtle Adoption, and Turtle First Aid.
FAQ
What is the Turtle Species Finder?
The Turtle Species Finder is an AllTurtles tool that helps readers compare turtles, tortoises, box turtles, and sea turtles by size, habitat, region, care needs, and pet suitability.
Can I use this tool to choose a pet turtle?
Yes, but use it as a starting point. After narrowing your options, read the full care guide, check local laws, and plan the adult enclosure before getting any turtle or tortoise.
Does this tool include tortoises?
Yes. The tool includes tortoise species and links to the tortoise species guide, tortoise setup guide, and tortoise care resources.
Does this tool include sea turtles?
Yes, but sea turtles are included for education and identification only. Sea turtles are protected marine wildlife and are not pets.
Can I identify a wild turtle with this tool?
It can help you narrow down possibilities, but regional turtle guides and photos are usually better for identification. Never collect a wild turtle just to identify it.
What should I do after finding a species?
Open the full AllTurtles species guide, check the setup guide, use the tank size calculator where relevant, and review legal or conservation notes before making decisions.
Final Thoughts
The Species Finder works best as a starting point for research. Use it to compare species quickly, then read the full guide for the animal you are interested in. Adult size, legal status, setup needs, diet, lifespan, and long-term care should all come before appearance or price.