Turtles

Turtles of Iowa

There are 13 species of turtles in Iowa. Click on the links below to view the complete species account, range maps, and more photos.

Snapping Turtle  (Chelydra serpentina)

Painted Turtle  (Chrysemys picta)

Blanding’s Turtle  (Emydoidea blandingii)

Wood Turtle  (Glyptemys insculpta)

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)

False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica)

Ornate Box Turtle  (Terrapene ornata)

Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)

Yellow Mud Turtle  (Kinosternon flavescens)

Eastern Musk Turtle  (Sternotherus odoratus)

Smooth Softshell Turtle  (Apalone mutica)

Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)