Turtles of Virginia

Virginia Turtle Identification Guide | Virginia Turtle Measurements

Scientific name (Common name) Click link for additional information and photos.	VA Distribution	Photos
Apalone spinifera spinifera (Eastern Spiny Softshell) Tier IV
Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Eastern Snapping Turtle)
Chrysemys picta picta (Eastern Painted Turtle)
Clemmys guttata (Spotted Turtle) Tier III
Deirochelys reticularia reticularia (Chicken Turtle) * State Endangered * Tier I
Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle) * State Threatened * Tier I
Glyptemys muhlenbergii (Bog Turtle) * Federal Threatened State Endangered * Tier I
Graptemys geographica (Northern Map Turtle) Tier IV
Kinosternon baurii (Striped Mud Turtle)
Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum (Eastern Mud Turtle)
Malaclemys terrapin terrapin (Northern Diamond-backed Terrapin) * Federal Species of Concern * Tier II
Pseudemys concinna concinna (Eastern River Cooter)
Pseudemys concinna floridana (Coastal Plain Cooter)
Pseudemys rubriventris (Northern Red-bellied Cooter)
Sternotherus minor peltifer (Stripe-necked Musk Turtle) Tier IV
Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Turtle)
Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) Tier III
Trachemys scripta elegans (Red-eared Slider)
Trachemys scripta scripta (Yellow-bellied Slider) Tier IV
Trachemys scripta troosti (Cumberland Slider) Tier III
Sea Turtles
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) * Federal Threatened State Endangered * Tier I
Chelonia mydas (Green Sea Turtle) * Federal Threatened State Threatened *
Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Sea Turtle) * Federal Threatened State Endangered *
Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Sea Turtle) * Federal Endangered State Endangered *
Lepidochelys kempii (Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle) * Federal Endangered State Endangered *

Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier IV - Moderate Conservation Need - The species may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery. Populations of these species have demonstrated a significant declining trend or one is suspected which, if continued, is likely to qualify this species for a higher tier in the foreseeable future. Long-term planning is necessary to stabilize or increase populations.

Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier III - High Conservation Need - Extinction or extirpation is possible. Populations of these species are in decline or have declined to low levels or are in a restricted range. Management action is needed to stabilize or increase populations.

Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier II - Very High Conservation Need - Has a high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at very low levels, facing real threat(s), or occur within a very limited distribution. Immediate management is needed for stabilization and recovery.

Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier I - Critical Conservation Need - Faces an extremely high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at critically low levels, facing immediate threat(s), or occur within an extremely limited range. Intense and immediate management action is needed.