Turtles and Tortoises
False Map Turtle - Graptemys pseudogeographica
This is a medium to large sized Minnesota turtle that grows 5 to 10 inches carapace length. The shell is dark brown, olive, or black. This turtle gets its name from the light yellow lines that form a reticulated or map like pattern on the back, but this pattern is usually obscure on adults. Old females have dark blotches on the back and plastron. There is a vertebral keel on the back that is rather prominent even in adults. Read More at herpnet.net
Ouachita Map Turtle - Graptemys ouachitensis
This is a medium to large sized Minnesota turtle that grows 6 to 10 inches carapace length. The shell is dark brown, olive, or black. This turtle gets its name from the light yellow lines that form a reticulated or map like pattern on the back, but this pattern is usually obscure on adults. Old females have dark blotches on the back and plastron. Read More at herpnet.net
Common Map Turtle - Graptemys geographica
This is a medium to large sized Minnesota turtle that grows 6 to 10 inches carapace length. The shell is dark brown, olive, or black. This turtle gets its name from the light yellow lines that form a reticulated or map like pattern on the back, but this pattern is usually obscure on adults. Old females have dark blotches on the back. Read More at herpnet.net
Wood Turtle - Glyptemys insculpta
The wood turtle is quite rare in Minnesota and throughout most of its range. Adults are between 5 1/2 and 8 inches in length (Conant and Collins, 1991). Unlike many of Minnesota's native turtle species, males attain greater size than females. Read More at herpnet.net
Blanding's Turtle - Emydoidea blandingii
This is one of Minnesota's larger turtle species. Average adult size is from 5 to 8 inches carapace length. The carapace is high domed and looks like a helmet. The shell is black or dark gray with yellow dots or markings. The plastron is yellow with a large black blotch on the edge of each scute. Sometimes, there is a rust colored deposit covering the plastron from the water (see painted turtle account). Read More at herpnet.net
Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta
The painted turtle is probably Minnesota's best known turtle species, with the possible exception of the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. Adults range from 3 1/2-7 inches in carapace length (Conant and Collins, 1991). Males are at the smaller end of this range whereas females grow to the larger size. Read More at herpnet.net
Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera
The spiny softshell is a large Minnesota turtle and grows to a carapace length of 17 inches in females (Conant and Collins, 1991 ). Males reach only half that length. Softshells are most easily recognized by the appearance of their carapace. It does not have the the bony scutes of our other turtles. Read More at herpnet.net
Smooth Softshell Turtle - Apalone mutica
The smooth softshell is a large Minnesota turtle and grows to a carapace length of 14 inches in females (Conant and Collins, 1991 ). Males reach only half that length. Softshells are most easily recognized by the appearance of their carapace. It does not have the the bony scutes of our other turtles. Instead, it is flat and leathery with very flexible edges. Read More at herpnet.net
Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina
This is Minnesotas largest turtle species. Average adult size is from 9 to 14 inches carapace length. The largest Minnesota specimen recorded was a male that measured 19 1/2 inches (Gerholdt and Oldfield, 1987)! The turtle (dubbed "Minnesota Fats") was tagged and released after his Minnesota State Fair appearance. Read More at herpnet.net