Turtles Near Me
Most turtles you will spot are basking on a log or crossing a road between ponds, and knowing the local species makes them far easier to tell apart. The map below shows recent, verified turtle sightings in your area, and the guide covers the ones you are most likely to see. Spring and early summer are the best time to find them, when they bask in the sun and females move overland to nest.
Recent research-grade sightings from the iNaturalist community. The map starts near your approximate location - allow location access to centre it exactly on you.
Turtles you are most likely to see
The commonest turtles in the Huck field guide - tap any species for habitat, diet, rarity and where it has been spotted.
Found something you don’t recognise?
Identify any plant, bird, or animal from a photo, then watch your collection fill up as you find more.
Get HuckTurtles by state
See which turtles live in your state, with a live map and the species seen most often there.
Browse turtles by place
Heading somewhere specific? See what is being spotted there.
Wildlife in U.S. National Parks
Wildlife in U.S. State Parks
Wildlife in National Historical Parks
Wildlife by State
Wildlife by City
Common questions
What turtles live near me?
That depends on your region and whether you have ponds, rivers or wetlands nearby. Recent verified sightings show which species have been confirmed near you, from common pond turtles and sliders to box turtles on land.
Should I help a turtle cross the road?
If it is safe for you to stop, you can move a turtle across in the direction it was already heading, keeping it low to the ground. Do not take it somewhere you think is better - turtles know their home range, and a relocated turtle often spends months trying to get back. Never pick a large snapping turtle up by the tail, which can injure it.
How do I identify a turtle?
Photograph the shell from above and the head from the side if you can. Shell shape, markings and head pattern separate most species, and Huck identifies a turtle from a photo along with its habitat and range.
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Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.