Turtles of Wisconsin

Photo of an Ornate Box Turtle, a Wisconsin endangered species.

Turtles are believed to have existed on earth longer than any other group of reptiles. Fossil records suggest that they were present as long as 200 million years ago and have changed little in structure since then. Turtles are also believed to be among the longest living creatures, with some species easily living past 100 years of age. Their amazing skeletons, which often include beautifully-patterned and uniquely-shaped shells, set them apart from other reptiles. The most distinctive characteristic of a turtle is its shell, made up of about 60 different bones. Turtles serve as an integral part of the food chain and play a significant role in many aquatic habitats. Wisconsin has 11 species, with the most abundant of these, the painted turtle, represented by two subspecies. Two of these species are threatened with extinction, and one is endangered.

The content for this page was taken from 'Turtles & Lizards of Wisconsin.'

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Species information from the book Turtles & Lizards of Wisconsin:

Snapping Turtles
Common Snapping Turtle

Musk and Mud Turtles
Common Musk Turtle

Softshell Turtles
Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle
Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle

Box and Water Turtles
Wood Turtle THR
Blanding's Turtle THR
Ornate Box Turtle END
Western Painted Turtle
Midland Painted Turtle
Common Map Turtle
Ouachita Map Turtle
False Map Turtle

To learn more about these species and their habitats, order your copy of the Turtles & Lizards of Wisconsin book today!

Last Revised: May 15, 2006