Haven’t you heard that Colorado is home to five native turtle species? Let’s talk about the Turtle in Denver. It might surprise you to learn about the turtles that call Colorado home.
The western painted turtle is the most common turtle in Colorado. It is even the Colorado State Reptile. These turtles are easy to spot. Look for them on logs or rocks in wetland areas. A group of turtles is called a bale.
Snapping turtles can grow quite large. Some reach up to 20 inches in shell diameter. They have strong jaws and a rough shell. Their tails look like alligator tails. Be careful. These turtles can inflict a nasty bite.
The ornate box turtle is Colorado’s only terrestrial turtle species. It lives in the Great Plains, including eastern Colorado. Sadly, their habitat is threatened. Collection for the pet trade has also hurt their population.
Spiny softshell turtles are among Colorado’s largest turtle species. They are mostly found in waterways along the state’s eastern edge.
Yellow mud turtles like muddy water. They live in rivers, swamps, lakes, and marshes. These turtles are smaller. They grow to be about 5 to 7 inches long.
These turtles face threats from predators. Raccoons, otters, and foxes eat turtles and their eggs.
Interestingly, a turtle’s sex is determined by the temperature during development. Turtle shells are made from their rib cage and spine. The shell grows with the turtle. Turtles do not have teeth. They have sharp ridges on their jaws instead.
So next time you are out, keep an eye out for these amazing creatures. You might spot one basking in the sun. Remember each of these Turtle in Denver plays a unique role in our ecosystem. Protecting their habitats is very important.