How to Identify Turtle Breed

By K.J. Flynn

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Turtle
Good observation skills
Paper
Pencil
Camera

Identify Turtle Breed

Step 1:
Take caution when picking the turtle up. If the turtle meets the following description it is probably a snapping turtle: Claws on the front feet and webbed back feet A bottom shell that is smaller than the turtle's body A dark colored upper shell; Hooked jaws
Step 2:
Inspect the turtle's toes. If the toes are webbed, the turtle is a swimmer and lives in water either part of the time or always. If the turtle has claws rather than webbed toes, it is a land turtle.
Step 3:
Inspect the turtle's shell. Is the shell hard or soft? If the turtle shell is soft, it's considered a soft-shell turtle. Is the top shell high and shaped like a dome? If so, it is probably a box turtle. Is the top shell flat with black, yellow, red, or orange markings? If so, it's probably a painted turtle of the turtle breed Chreysems.
Step 4:
Make notes of physical characteristics of the turtle mentioned above and also include notes about scales on the tail, head and leg stripes, and the hinge on the bottom shell.
Step 5:
Use your observations to consult a field guide on turtle breeds. Field guides can be checked out from libraries, purchased from bookstores, or found on-line.
Step 6:
Take a picture of the turtle and post it in a turtle breed forum on-line (See resources below). Many animal experts visit these forums regularly and could probably identify the turtle breed you have found.
Step 7:
Schedule an appointment with your local veternarian. If all else fails, a vet can certainly identify the turtle's breed and tell you how to feed and care for it.

Tips & Warnings

Do not attempt to pick up a snapping turtle, it could harm you. If the turtle has clawed feet, do not put it in water.

Resources

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