Every Turtle Type Explained

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:00]Green sea turtle.

[00:00:02]The green sea turtle is one of the largest sea turtle species in the world.

[00:00:07]It lives in warm tropical oceans across many different continents.

[00:00:11]Unlike most sea turtles, adults mainly eat sea grass and algae underwater.

[00:00:17]Green sea turtles can travel thousands of miles during migration journeys.

[00:00:23]Females return to the same beaches where they were born to lay eggs.

[00:00:29]Their strong flippers help them swim gracefully through the ocean currents.

[00:00:35]Young green sea turtles often hide near coral reefs for protection.

[00:00:40]Today, pollution and plastic waste threaten their survival in the wild.

[00:00:46]Leatherback turtle.

[00:00:48]The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle species alive today.

[00:00:52]Some leatherbacks can grow over 7 ft long and weigh thousands of pounds.

[00:00:58]Unlike other sea turtles, they have soft leathery shells instead of hard armor.

[00:01:04]Leatherbacks dive deeper into the ocean than almost any other reptile.

[00:01:09]They mainly feed on jellyfish drifting through open ocean waters.

[00:01:14]Their bodies are specially adapted to survive in cold ocean temperatures.

[00:01:19]Leatherback turtles can migrate across entire oceans during their lifetime.

[00:01:25]Sadly, fishing nets and ocean pollution are dangerous threats to this species.

[00:01:31]Snapping turtle.

[00:01:33]The snapping turtle is famous for its powerful jaws and aggressive defense behavior.

[00:01:38]It lives in freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and swamps across North America.

[00:01:44]Snapping turtles often stay hidden underwater waiting for prey to approach.

[00:01:49]They eat fish, frogs, birds, and many other small animals.

[00:01:55]Their rough shells and sharp beaks help protect them from predators.

[00:02:00]On land, snapping turtles can become surprisingly aggressive when threatened.

[00:02:05]These turtles are strong swimmers despite their heavy body shape.

[00:02:10]Some snapping turtles can survive for decades in the wild. Alligator Snapping Turtle.

[00:02:17]The Alligator Snapping Turtle is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles on Earth.

[00:02:22]It is easily recognized by its spiky shell and giant hooked jaws.

[00:02:28]This species lives mainly in rivers and swamps across the Southern United States.

[00:02:34]Inside its mouth is a worm-like tongue used to attract fish.

[00:02:39]Alligator Snapping Turtles rarely chase prey and prefer ambush hunting instead.

[00:02:45]Some individuals can weigh over 200 lb when fully grown.

[00:02:50]Their massive bite is powerful enough to crush hard shells and bones.

[00:02:56]Habitat destruction has caused populations to decline in some regions.

[00:03:01]Box Turtle.

[00:03:03]The Box Turtle is a small land turtle known for its dome-shaped shell. It can completely close its shell for protection against predators.

[00:03:13]Box Turtles live in forests, grasslands, and wetlands across North America. They eat plants, insects, berries, mushrooms, and small animals.

[00:03:25]Unlike sea turtles, box turtles spend most of their lives on land. Their colorful shells help make them one of the most recognizable turtles.

[00:03:35]Box turtles move slowly, but can live for many decades.

[00:03:40]Roads and habitat loss are major dangers for wild box turtles today. Painted Turtle.

[00:03:47]The Painted Turtle is one of the most colorful freshwater turtles in North America.

[00:03:52]Its shell and skin feature bright red, yellow, and orange markings.

[00:03:58]Painted turtles spend much of their time basking in the sun near water.

[00:04:03]They live in ponds, lakes, rivers, and calm wetlands.

[00:04:08]These turtles mainly feed on insects, plants, and small aquatic animals.

[00:04:14]During winter, painted turtles can survive underwater beneath frozen ice.

[00:04:19]Young painted turtles are often hunted by birds and fish predators.

[00:04:24]Painted turtles are among the most common turtle species in the United States. Red-eared slider.

[00:04:32]The red-eared slider is one of the most popular pet turtles in the world. It is named after the bright red stripe located behind each eye.

[00:04:41]This turtle naturally lives in freshwater habitats across the southern United States.

[00:04:47]Red-eared sliders spend hours basking under sunlight near the water.

[00:04:52]They eat fish, insects, plants, and many different aquatic foods.

[00:04:58]Some released pet sliders have spread into ecosystems around the world.

[00:05:04]Their strong swimming abilities help them escape predators quickly. Red-eared sliders can live for many years when cared for properly. Soft-shell turtle.

[00:05:15]The soft-shell turtle is known for its flat body and soft leathery shell.

[00:05:21]Unlike most turtles, its shell is flexible instead of hard and bony.

[00:05:26]Soft-shell turtles are excellent swimmers that move quickly through water.

[00:05:31]They often bury themselves beneath sand or mud to hide from danger.

[00:05:36]These turtles hunt fish, insects, and small aquatic animals.

[00:05:41]Their long necks allow them to strike prey with incredible speed.

[00:05:46]Soft-shell turtles usually live in rivers, lakes, and freshwater habitats.

[00:05:52]Some species become aggressive when disturbed by humans or predators.