How to Identify the Turtles of Louisiana

Turtles are both land-based and aquatic reptiles that are well-known for their protective shells and the flippers that many have on their feet that allow them to swim freely through water. Turtles are indigenous to areas that have a lot of wetlands and Louisiana is a prime example. Identifying turtles that are commonly found in Louisiana is an easy task if you know what to look for.

Instructions

    • 1

      Consider the surrounding land and water conditions. Leaf turtles, sliders and bog turtles are naturally found near fresh water. If you are near salt water, the turtle is more likely to be a terrapin. If there is no water in sight, it could be a box turtle, but they normally stay within walking distance of a water source.

    • 2

      Look at the shape and color of the shell. Box turtles frequently have a wide, oval shell that is black to reddish-brown in color. Grassland box turtles are common in Louisiana.

    • 3

      Examine the turtle's size. Many leatherback turtles are native to Louisiana and can reach sizes of over a meter long. Leatherbacks are traditionally larger turtles that can weigh anywhere from 100 to 1,000 pounds.

    • 4

      Notice the tail of the turtle. Alligator snapping turtles are common in Louisiana and snapping turtles usually have a long tail with large scales in the center.