There are 23 types of turtles in Maryland thanks to its wide range of reptile species. You can find these throughout the forests, waterways, and coasts of the “Old Line State.
There are endangered species such as the smallest turtle native to the United States, the Bog turtle, as well as more abundant, large turtles such as the Common Snapping turtle and the Spiny Softshell turtle.
While vacationing or visiting the coastal waters, you might be lucky enough to spot a few sea turtles that frequent the waters. The 5 species you may see include the Atlantic Leatherback, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Green, and Hawksbill Sea turtle.
Here is our guide to the native turtles in Maryland.
Table of Contents
Turtles in Maryland
1. Bog Turtle
- Experience Level: *Expert
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Glyptemys muhlenbergii
- Other Names: Muhlenberg’s turtle
- Adult Size: 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 12.5 cm)
- Life Span: Up to 40 years
- Average Price Range: Illegal to own, Federally protected species
- Conservation Status: Endangered
Bog turtles are the smallest turtle species in North America and are mainly found in open areas with clean, slow-moving, spring fed waters. They need soft, rich soil to burrow into tunnels to escape danger.
Just a quick note, don’t reach your hand into any holes in the ground, because you might end up meeting a Common Snapping turtle. We’ll get into this turtle soon, but they can deliver a flesh damaging bite when cornered.
Bog turtles rarely reach more than 4 inches in length. Their carapace (upper part of a turtle’s shell) is often olive-brown to black and may have a starburst pattern on the scutes. These patterns can be yellowish to red.
The upper shell also has deep ridges or growth rings, though older turtles tend to have a slightly smoother shell.
Other distinguishing characteristics include large, white, yellow, or orangish-red blotches behind the eyes. Sometimes these spots can be connected, looking like a ring around the head.
You may find these tiny turtles along the northern counties of Maryland. They are endangered and federally protected. Meaning you cannot own, take, or sell Bog turtles.
Bog turtles eat berries, grasses, worms, snails and slugs, crayfish, insects, and carrion.
If you happen to see Bog turtles, you are encouraged to contact Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service.
2. Diamondback Terrapin
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
- Other Names: Diamond-backed terrapin
- Adult Size: 4.5 to 9 inches (11.5 to 23 cm)
- Life Span: 25 to 40 years
- Average Price Range: $250 to $600
- Conservation Status: Threatened
Diamondback Terrapins are colorful, beautiful little turtles. They have a slightly diamond-shaped carapace with a ridged keel. This shell can be grey, brown, black, or yellowish in color, and the scutes (separate growth plates on the shell) often have black rings.
The skin of these turtles is typically grey with dark or black spots. On their face, they often look like they have yellow, white, or pink lips with a black mustache.
Diamondback Terrapins are the only species of turtle that lives in brackish waters full time. There are other species of turtles that can tolerate short periods of brackish water, but they can’t stay there full time.
These aquatic terrapins favor the marshes and coastal or estuary shorelines of Southern Maryland. They can often be seen swimming in the water with their heads poking out, but unfortunately, they are often struck down by speeding boats.
Another threat to these salty turtles is crab pots. Diamondback Terrapins’ favorite food is crabs and they often follow the crustaceans into the traps and drown. There are regulations fishermen are supposed to follow that allow for the escape of these tiny turtles.
3. Eastern Box Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Terrapene carolina carolina
- Other Names: Land Turtle
- Adult Size: 4 to 7 inches
- Life Span: 50 to 100 years
- Average Price Range: $260 – $360
- Conservation Status: Michigan, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut—list the animal as a species of special concern, and Maine lists the turtle as endangered.
Eastern Box turtles are a terrestrial turtle that rarely enters into bodies of water. They prefer to wander around on damp forest floors. If they get too hot they will burrow into damp leaf litter and mud.
Eastern Box turtles have a dark brown to black shell with yellow, orange, or reddish markings. The plastron is a muddy yellow with various amounts of black covering it. The skin and scales of Eastern Box turtles have the same color as the carapace.
Box turtles are able to completely withdraw into their shells and close off the outside world. They have a double hinged plastron that allows this.
Food is not a problem for the Eastern Box turtle as they eat nearly anything. They can consume fungi, leaves, flowers, berries, insects, worms, eggs, slugs, and snails, and will sometimes feed on carrion.
Mud Turtles in Maryland
4. Eastern Mud Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon subrubrum
- Other Names: Common mud turtle
- Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches
- Life Span: 40 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: $20 – $100
- Conservation Status: Least concern
Eastern Mud turtles have high domed, smooth, and patternless brown to yellow carapaces. They also have a hinged plastron that allows them to seal themselves into the shell. Their skin is dark brown to black and may have some yellowish coloration.
You can find these turtles along the coast as they are somewhat tolerant of brackish water, and in all but the farthest west Maryland counties. They prefer muddy, shallow, slow-moving waters such as swamps, marshes, bogs, and small ponds.
Soft, muddy bottoms as well as abundant vegetation is also a necessity for this species. Though they spend a lot of time in the water and buried in the mud, when it’s time to mate and lay eggs, these turtles will wander on the land.
These mud turtles are omnivorous and will feed on worms, fish, mollusks, insects, and some vegetation.
5. Striped Mud Turtle
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon baurii
- Other Names: 3-striped mud turtle, lined mud turtle
- Average Adult Size: 3 – 4 inches
- Life Span: 40 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $100 – $160
- Conservation Status: Least concern
Striped Mud turtles have three light colored stripes on the brown carapace. These stripes are most visible on younger and juvenile turtles as they tend to fade with age, and are often covered in mud and algae.
These muddy turtles also have stripes on their faces. The most distinctive being the stripes that run from the nostrils to the eyes.
In Maryland, sightings of Striped Mud turtles are rare, and they have only been recorded in a few counties. These turtles are very small, rather reclusive, and often mistaken for other turtles so the population could be larger than originally observed.
Striped Mud turtles inhabit swamps, small ponds, drainage ditches, backwater rivers, and marshes. As their name suggests, the Striped Mud turtle often burrows into the mud and will hibernate in shallow, muddy burrows.
Easily identified by the three light stripes visible on their dark brown shells, Striped Mud turtles also have yellowish stripes running between their eyes and nostrils. Often their markings can be seen when wet.
are relatively recent discoveries in Maryland, seen in only a couple of counties so far. They have been seen in creeks and rivers near forested floodplain areas.
These turtles are omnivores, mainly feasting on mollusks, worms, invertebrates, and fish as well as plants and algae.
6. Eastern Musk Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Sternotherus odoratus
- Other Names: Common Musk turtle, Stinkpot
- Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12.5 cm)
- Life Span: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: $30 to $120
- Conservation Status: Least concern
Also known as “Stinkpots” due to the malodorous stench they can release from their musk glands, Eastern Musk turtles use this ability to protect themselves from predators. So be careful when handling these little turtles or you might get a handful of “ick.”
They are common throughout Maryland though more concentrated populations can be found along the coastal plain.
Eastern Musk turtles have sandy-colored to dark brown, unmarked shells. They are often covered in mud or algae which can give their shells a greenish tint. Their heads are large in comparison to their body and dark, with yellow or white lines along their faces.
Another reason to beware of these turtles is their bad attitude. They are small, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to bite when handled.
Eastern Musk turtles are found along rivers, streams, rivers, ponds, and other permanent bodies of water with soft bottoms and abundant vegetation. When trees dip their limbs into the water, the stinkpot may end up climbing the tree.
If you’re out on the water in a boat, you might want to bring a hard hat, because these turtles can fall onto boaters who troll underneath trees.
Mostly nocturnal, the Common Musk turtle feeds on mollusks, crayfish, insects, tadpoles, fish, algae, and other plants.
Map Turtles in Maryland
7. Northern Map Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Graptemys geographica
- Other Name: Common map turtle
- Adult Size: Between 4 and 10 ½ inches
- Life Span: 15 to 20 years
- Average price range: Between $20 and $60
- Conservation Status: Least concern/Endangered in Maryland
Northern Map turtles have olive green shells with yellowish-orange swirls and patterns that resemble contour map markings. They have a moderate keel on the carapace, saw-toothed ridges on the back, and a yellow, unpatterned plastron.
Their skin is dark brown to black, with a lot of light colored stripes. Northern Map turtles have a white or yellow, small pair of spots behind the eyes.
These turtles are very aquatic, rarely go far from the water, but love to bask in the sun. They are quite skittish too and will return to the water at the first sign of a disturbance. You may have to use binoculars to get a decent look at these turtles before they disappear into the water.
Across the Nation, Northern Map turtles are listed as least concern, but in Maryland, they can only be found in a few northeastern counties, and are listed as endangered in the state.
Northern Map turtles can be found in large lakes, rivers, and other waters that have little current, muddy bottoms, and abundant vegetation. These turtles are mostly carnivorous and will eat fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, and tadpoles.
8. False Map Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Graptemys pseudogeographica
- Other Names: Sawback turtle
- Adult Size: 3.5 to 10.5 inches (9 to 26.5 cm)
- Life Span: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: $6 to $40
- Conservation Status: Least concern
False Map turtles are not native to Maryland and have recently been introduced to the state. Some have either escaped or were released by owners who couldn’t care for them one way or another.
False Map turtles look remarkably similar to Northern Map turtles, but the False Map has a more pronounced keel, and instead of a spot behind the eyes, it looks more like a J or backward 7.
When it comes to Map turtles, females are much bigger than males. This happens in many turtle species. It’s thought that because females have to carry so many eggs, they grow larger to accommodate the space.
Like their native cousins, the False Map turtle feeds mainly on insects, fish, and other protein sources. They will occasionally eat vegetation but prefer their live prey and protein.
Cooters in Maryland
9. Northern Red-Bellied Cooter
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Pseudemys rubriventris
- Other Names: American red-bellied turtle
- Adult Size: Between 8 and 12 inches
- Life Span: Between 40 and 55 years
- Average Price Range: Between $30 and $170
- Conservation Status:
Northern Red-Bellied Cooters are some of the largest pond turtles. They regularly reach 12 inches in length, while the record in Maryland was over 15 inches.
Even though they grow pretty big, they are still cautious and shy. They love to bask, and you may often see several occupying fallen logs or banks, but get too close and they quickly retreat to the safety of the water.
These turtles have a slightly domed shell that looks wrinkled like they have soaked in the tub too long. While young, these turtles have a very decorative carapace but the markings fade and darken as they age. They keep the eponymous “red belly” though.
Their skin is dark green, brown, or black and has yellowish stripes. Their upper jaw has an inverted V-shaped notch and two pointed looking cusps. Making the turtle look like it has small fangs.
Red-Bellied Cooters can be found in nearly all counties of the state. They prefer rivers, coastal plains, marshes, and ponds with soft bottoms and copious vegetation.
They are omnivores that feed on mollusks, insects, crayfish, tadpoles, and vegetation.
10. Eastern River Cooter
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Pseudemys concinna concinna
- Other Names: River Cooter
- Adult Size: Between 8 and 12 inches
- Life Span: Between 20 and 40 years
- Average Price Range: $20 to $50
- Conservation Status: Special concern
The Eastern River Cooter is another large freshwater turtle similar to the Red-Bellied Cooter. These turtles also have a decorative carapace, but their plastron can be yellow, tan, or reddish and tends to have a midline pattern of black or dark brown.
Their skin is dark colored with yellowish stripes along the head, neck, and limbs.
As the name suggests they are often found in large rivers, but they can also inhabit lakes, ponds, and streams. They prefer rocky bottoms and a lot of vegetation.
It may be difficult to find this turtle in Maryland because they can spend such a long time underwater. They have been found in the Potomac River which borders Maryland and Virginia.
Aquatic vegetation tends to make up the majority of their diet, but juveniles like to eat more meat such as fish and insects.
Painted Turtles in Maryland
11. Eastern Painted Turtles
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta
- Common Name: Painted Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 4 – 10 inches
- Life Span: 30 – 50 years
- Average Price Range: Between $30 to $150
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Painted turtles have a smooth, slightly domed, dark colored carapace that is often bordered by red crescents. Their plastrons range from red to orange, with black and yellow patterning.
It looks like a painter carefully painted yellow lines along this turtle’s head, neck, and legs, hence their name. To distinguish between subspecies, you’ll have to look closely at the markings on their heads or the individual scutes on the upper shell.
Eastern Painted turtles have yellow ovals behind their eyes as well as two yellow lines running across their eyes.
These turtles like shallow streams, marshes, and bogs with lazy currents with muddy bottoms, and plenty of plants. They are omnivorous and will hunt among the vegetation as well as eat the plants and algae.
12. Midland Painted Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta marginata
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: Between 4 and 10 inches
- Life Span: Between 30 and 50 years
- Average price range: Between $30 and $150
- Conservation Status: Special concern
The Midland Painted turtle is very similar in habits and appearance to the Eastern Painted turtle. The main difference, if you can get close enough to this turtle before it slides into the water is to compare the scutes on their carapace.
On the upper shell of the Eastern Painted turtle, the large scutes all seem to line up front to back, and side to side. On the Midland Painted turtle, the marginal scutes alternate with the middle line of scutes.
These turtles are so similar to each other, that Eastern and Midland Painted turtles often mate when their territories overlap.
13. Common Snapping Turtle
- Experience level: Intermediate to Expert
- Family: Chelydrida
- Scientific Name: Chelydra Serpentina
- Other Names: Snapping Turtle, Snapper, Eastern Snapping Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 8 to 20 inches
- Life Span: 30 – 50 years
- Average Price Range: Approximately $40 to $120
- Conservation Status: Least concern
Common Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtle found throughout the state of Maryland. They can inhabit any permanent body of water, and will often tolerate brackish water for short periods.
These turtles are instantly recognizable because it looks like they are oozing out of their shells. They have a “bulldog” like stance on muscular limbs, with thick claws at the end of their feet. The tail is very long and spikey.
Most of the time these turtles look like they have no neck but don’t let that fool you. They have a very long, serpentine neck and will strike like a venomous snake when threatened.
They rarely leave the water except to find a suitable nesting site for their eggs, at which time they can be found nearly a mile away from a water source. While these fearsome turtles are in the water, they are very docile and you won’t even know they are in the water unless they swim to the surface.
On land though, they turn into Mr. Hyde. Snapping turtles will hiss, strike, and bite if approached on land, so give them plenty of space.
With their large, sharp jaws, Snapping turtles are mostly carnivorous. They will devour frogs, tadpoles and other amphibians, fish, crayfish, insects, and even other small turtles. There is the occasional report of Snapping turtles eating waterfowl, but this is quite rare.
14. Spiny Softshell Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate to Expert
- Family: Trionychidae
- Scientific Name: Apalone spinifera
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 5 to 9 ½ inches for males, 10 to 20 inches for females
- Life Span: Between 20 and 50 years
- Average Price Range: Between $20 and $120
- Conservation Status: Threatened in Maryland
Spiny Softshell turtles are flattened, pancake looking turtles. The reason they are called “Spiny” is because of the fleshy tubercles on the front half of their floppy carapace.
These turtles can grow up to 20 inches long and are usually sandy or dirt colored. When they are young they may have black spots or circles on their carapace. As Spiny Softshell turtles age, the spots fade, and the turtle grows darker.
These turtles are quite swift on land, and they are aggressive. Softshell turtles will use their long claws, long neck, and sharp beak to inflict pain and damage on anyone foolish enough to pick them up.
These turtles are found in ponds, tributaries, and rivers in the Westernmost county. They are threatened in the state of Maryland and conservation efforts are underway to protect them.
Though these turtles are great swimmers, they often lay at the bottom of the water where they are camouflaged. Here they wait for prey such as frogs, fish, tadpoles, crayfish, insects, and other aquatic animals to get close.
15. Spotted Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate to Expert
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Clemmys guttata
- Other Names: Polka-dot turtle, “Spotty”
- Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches
- Life Span: Males up to 65 years; females up to 110 years
- Average Price Range: $200 to $300
- Conservation Status: Endangered
Spotted turtles are a small, beautiful species of semi-aquatic turtles that can be found throughout the state. Their domed, smooth shells are black, and speckled with yellow, orange, or reddish dots. Their plastrons are yellow with large black patches of varying sizes on either side.
Spotted turtles spend plenty of time out of the water, but they live in areas with shallow water and dense vegetation. Bogs, swamps, wet meadows, shallow ponds, and woodland streams are all habitats where you might find Spotted turtles.
These little turtles are very sensitive to pollution. This along with the draining of wetland habitats and human encroachment are reasons these turtles are facing reduced populations.
Spotted turtles are omnivores that consume more sources of protein than they do vegetation. They will eat duckweed, algae, spiders, slugs and snails, fish, insects, and worms.
16. Wood Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Glyptemys insculpta
- Other Names: Redleg turtle
- Adult Size: 5.5 to 9 inches
- Life Span: 40 to 60 years
- Average Price Range: $250 to $500
- Conservation Status: Endangered
Wood turtles are an intelligent species sparsely found in western counties of Maryland. Their main habitats are woodlands, meadows, fields, or wetlands, but they are always close to water.
Both their scientific and common name refers to their brown, carved looking, wood-like carapace. Their scutes are somewhat pyramidal and the growth rings are deeply grooved to resemble a carving.
The Wood turtle’s plastron is cream colored with black smudges and is not hinged. Their legs and underside of their chins are yellow, orange, or red colored. This coloration is where they get their nickname the “Redleg” turtle.
They are active during the day and roam widely while looking for food. They are omnivores and often eat berries, plants, mollusks, and earthworms. These turtles have figured out how to trick worms. They will stomp the ground and mimic the sound of rainfall.
Earthworms will emerge from the ground to prevent getting soaked from the rain, and the awaiting turtle will feast on the hapless worms.
Pond Sliders in Maryland
17. Red Eared Slider
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans
- Common Name: Pond slider, Red-eared terrapin, Water slider
- Average Adult Size: 6 – 8 inches
- Life Span: 20 to 40 years
- Average Price Range: approximately $30 to $100
- Conservation Status: Least concern
The Red Eared Slider is a great pet, and one of the most common types of pet turtle on the market. Potential owners need to do their research before getting a turtle though, as they can sometimes be difficult to care for.
Red Eared Sliders are not native to Maryland and were either introduced by previous owners or escaped their enclosures. These turtles are habitat generalists and don’t have trouble setting up populations in nearly any water source.
Red Eared Sliders commonly have an olive green shell bearing multi-colored markings on their scutes. Their heads are usually a darker color, with yellow striped markings and red patches just behind their eyes.
These turtles have swiftly established themselves in Maryland waters, and will vigorously and aggressively compete for food and basking spots against other turtles.
Though they prefer slow-moving waters such as lakes, rivers, and ponds, Red Eared Sliders can survive in most water types. They are omnivores as well and feed on a wide variety of vegetation and aquatic animals.
18. Yellow Belly Slider
- Experience level: Beginner
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta scripta
- Other Names: Pond slider, Yellow slider
- Average Adult Size: 5 – 13 inches
- Life Span: 50 to 100 years
- Average Price Range: approximately $30 to $130
- Conservation Status: Least concern
Another non-native species, the Yellow Bellied Slider has recently been spotted in Maryland. It is a brightly colored turtle with wide yellow stripes along the head and limbs. They have a marked olive green carapace and a bright yellow plastron.
They are mainly found in rivers and lakes, and will occasionally be found in drainage ditches. Basking is an afternoon pastime for these turtles and they are often found laying on the banks or fallen logs.
These turtles are omnivores and will feed on aquatic plants, mollusks, insects, fish, and tadpoles.
Sea Turtles In Maryland
Five species of sea turtles are also seen in the waters off the coast of Maryland. Sea turtles are protected and cannot be kept as pets, not that anyone would realistically have enough space for them, but here are a few facts about each species.
19. Green Sea Turtle
- Experience level: N/A, Illegal to own any sea turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas
- Other Names: Green Sea Turtle
- Average Adult Size: 3 – 4 feet
- Life Span: 50 – 70 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
- Conservation Status: Endangered
The Green Sea turtle does not nest along the shores of Maryland, but in the summer months, you may be able to see them in the bay or along coastlines. They visit reefs and bays to feed on sea grasses and algae.
Green Sea turtles have oval or heart shaped shells that are olive, brown, or black. They have brown, green, or black scales that are outlined in white, cream, or yellow.
When Green Sea turtles lay eggs, they can drop over 100 eggs per clutch and will lay 2 to 5 clutches in a season.
20. Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Experience level: N/A, Illegal to own any sea turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
- Other Names: Hawksbill
- Average Adult Size: 30 – 36 inches
- Life Span: 50 – 60 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
- Conservation Status: Critically endangered
The Hawksbill Sea turtle is one of the most beautiful turtles around. Unfortunately, because of this beauty, many people hunt them illegally to harvest their shells.
These Sea turtles are often seen around shallow lagoons, reefs, and rocky coastlines. These turtles are very solitary and not much is known about them. They don’t visit Maryland very often, but you may be able to witness a few in summer along shallow coral reefs.
Hawksbill turtles have a sharp, hawk-like beak that they use to eat sponges and other soft bodied organisms.
Hawksbill turtles do not nest on Maryland shores. When they do nest, these turtles will lay between 150 to 200 eggs and will lay up to 4 clutches in a season.
21. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
- Experience level: N/A, Illegal to own any sea turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys kempii
- Other Names: Atlantic Ridley, Tortuga Lora (Mexico)
- Average Adult Size: 24 – 27 inches
- Life Span: 30 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
- Conservation Status: Critically endangered
The smallest and most critically endangered species of sea turtle, the Kemp’s Ridley Sea turtle has a heart-shaped carapace that is smooth and olive green, grey, or black.
These turtles don’t nest on Maryland shores either, but you may be able to see juvenile Kemp’s Ridley Sea turtles in the Chesapeake Bay and other coastal shoals where eelgrass grows. They feed on blue crabs and often bask just below the surface of the water.
The best time to see them is between May and November.
Kemp’s Ridley, and Olive Ridley Sea turtles will nest together, during the daylight, in large, concentrated groups. This congregation is called arribada. These sea turtles mostly nest in Mexico.
22. Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Experience level: N/A, Illegal to own any sea turtle
- Family: Dermochelyidae
- Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea
- Other Names: Atlantic Leatherback, Leatherback
- Average Adult Size: 4 – 8 ft
- Life Span: 30 – 50 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
- Conservation Status: Endangered
The largest of all turtles, the Leatherback Sea turtle doesn’t have a hard shell. Their back is covered in bony plates and a leathery skin. They are black, or dark grey with white or pink spots and have seven ridges that run along their carapace.
Leatherbacks are a very rare sight in Maryland as they are open ocean drifters that often migrate over 10,000 miles per season.
They drift and swim the wide ocean following migrating colonies of large jellyfish—their staple food. Sometimes these turtles can be seen drifting on the waves as they follow the jellyfish. When you see swarms of jellyfish, be careful in your boat so you don’t accidentally strike a sea turtle.
23. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Experience Level: N/A, Illegal to own any sea turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Caretta Caretta
- Other Names: Loggerhead
- Adult Size: 2.5 – 3.5 feet
- Life Span: 70 – 80 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
- Conservation Status: Endangered
Loggerhead Sea turtles are the most abundant species of sea turtle found off the shores of the United States. They are the sea turtles Maryland citizens are most likely to see, and some have even attempted nesting on a few of the state’s beaches.
These turtles are often found in subtropical waters and brackish, shallow bays. Between the months of May and November, you may be able to spot a few floating on the surface of the water. So be aware of your surroundings while boating in Maryland during this time.
These large turtles have strong jaws made for crushing hard shells. They feed on crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, conch, horseshoe crabs, and whelks.
Wrapping up
We just went over 23 types of turtles you can find in Maryland. How many have you seen while out on your excursions? Did you know this state had such a wide array of turtles?
While you are out on the water, at the coast, hiking through the woods, or even driving the many roads, keep your eyes open, you never know what you might see.
Before you go, why not leave us a quick comment or just say hi? You could share a short story about turtles you have seen, or share your insights with other turtle lovers.
Other nearby states
- Turtles in Delaware
- Turtles in New Jersey
- Turtles in Pennsylvania
- Turtles in Virginia
- Turtles in West Virginia