There are 5 types of turtles in Colorado which is home to incredible wildlife and has 41 state wildlife parks.
Often the turtle is an overlooked animal within the United States, however, the United States hosts close to 100 species of turtles – which is the most species any country in the world has.
As mentioned above there are 5 species in particular that are native to CO. Four of those five species are aquatic, and one is a terrestrial species.
| Yellow Mud Turtle |
| Common Snapping Turtle |
| Western Painted Turtle |
| Ornate Box Turtle |
| Spiny Softshell Turtle |
Turtles in Colorado
1. Yellow Mud Turtle
Quick Facts
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon flavescens
- Common Name: Yellow Mud Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 5 to 7 inches
- Life Span: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $179
- Conservation Status: Least concern
As their name implies, Yellow Mud Turtles prefer to stay in bodies of water with soft mud such as rivers, swamps, lakes, and marshes. Their shells vary between olive green, brown, and black, and they get to between 5 and 7 inches big.
They can be found in the eastern side of Colorado and make great pets as they are easy to handle and low maintenance. Diets consist of both vegetation and animals such as fish, snails, and insects.
2. Common Snapping Turtle
Quick facts
- Experience level: Intermediate
- Family: Chelydridae
- Scientific Name: Chelydra Serpentina
- Common Name: Snapping Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 12 to 15 inches, in some cases they can reach 19 inches
- Life Span: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $25 to $60
- Conservation Status: Least concern
The Common Snapping Turtle has an aggressive temperament, which is where they have gotten its name from. They are a part of the Chelydra Serpentina family, and this references their serpent-like behavior.
Their temperament makes them a more difficult pet to own as they have been known to snap viciously at their owners.
Shells range from brown to black and their appearance is fairly dark in color. Their necks, legs, and tails are longer than the average turtle, and they typically get to 12 to 15 inches and sometimes get to 19 inches big.
Snappers are usually just beneath the surface of the bodies of water they are found in. They are omnivorous and will hunt anything that they can swallow including vegetation.
Interestingly, the Snapping Turtle has been a symbol of New York since 2006.
3. Western Painted Turtle
Quick facts
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta
- Common Name: Painted Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 4 to 10 inches
- Life Span: 20 to 30 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $55
- Conservation Status: Least concern
The Western Painted Turtle is a subspecies of the Painted Turtle. They looked like they’d been painted and had olive, red, and yellow stripes along their bodies. They are smaller turtles compared to some other species.
They are aquatic and have been known to sleep at the bottom of ponds, and are capable of hibernating in cold climates. Western Painted turtles are most active in warmer climates.
Preferred habitats are in freshwater and they are omnivorous. Their diets consist of both plant life and aquatic insects.
Western painted turtles are the most common turtle species in Colorado and can be found quite easily. Because of their markings, they’re easy to identify.
Gender is determined by the temperature of their environment during their development. In case you are unsure what your turtle is, use our gender guide to find out.
As they are smaller in size, the Western Painted Turtle is more vulnerable to predators in the wild. They’re easier pets to own as they have a calmer temperament.
4. Ornate Box Turtle
Quick facts
- Experience level: Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Terrapene ornata ornata
- Common Name: Ornate Box Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 5 to 7 inches
- Life Span: 40 to 60 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $30 to $100
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The Ornate Box Turtles is a subspecies of the Box Turtle. Their name is derived from their protection mechanism where they draw their heads and legs into their shell, and appear like a box.
Over the years their habitat has been threatened and they have been caught in the wild to be sold within the pet trade or for their meat, which has led them to be given the “Near Threatened” status.
Females are bigger, and their shells are typically brown with yellow stripe/s. Despite being slightly more difficult as pets, they are still popular pets to own.
Setups are one aspect that makes these turtles more difficult as also the upfront cost of a complete tank including lighting, filters, accessories, and so on.
They can also be more difficult for children as they are shy pets, and wild-caught turtles do not cope well with captivity. Captive-bred Ornate Box Turtles cope better as pets.
Diet wise they are omnivorous as most turtles are, and eat berries and insects.
5. Spiny Softshell Turtle
Quick facts
- Experience Level: Intermediate/expert
- Family: Trionychidae
- Scientific Name: Apalone spinifera
- Common Name: Spiny Softshell Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 5 to 20 inches
- Life Span: 40 to 60 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $50 to $150
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Spiny Softshell Turtle is flatter in their shape and easily distinguished by their snort-like nose. Their shells are olive, or light to dark brown in color. Their feet are webbed, and they have three claws.
Most of their diet consists of insects, smaller aquatic animals, and snails – they are carnivorous, unlike other species of turtles.
Males are smaller than their female counterparts ranging between 5 to 10 inches while females typically range between 9 to 20 inches big. They are the more popular subspecies of softshells to be kept as pets.
Conclusion
That about sums it up for Colorado turtles. It’s a beautiful state with interesting wildlife. Most of the turtle species that are native to Colorado are not endangered and fall into the least concerned status.
There are five species that live within Colorado, and each possesses unique attributes.
Other nearby states:
- Turtles in Arizona
- Turtles in Kansas
- Turtles in Nebraska
- Turtles in New Mexico
- Turtles in Oklahoma
- Turtles in Utah
- Turtles in Wyoming