Different Types of Turtles

As we mentioned earlier, there exist more than 300 different species of turtles in the world, with the largest being the leatherback sea turtle - with an average shell length of 6.6 ft and weight of 2,000 lb, and the smallest being the speckled padloper tortoise - with an average length of 3.1 inches and weight of 5 oz. This difference between the largest and the smallest species of turtles speaks in volumes about the great deal of diversity in this reptile family. The fact that there are more than 300 species of turtles may seem unbelievable, as our knowledge about this reptile species is by and large limited to those turtles which are kept as pets. Such ignorance about the different types of turtles is surprising, considering that these reptiles have existed on the planet for more than 200 million years - fossil records validate their existence during the Upper Triassic.

Turtle or TortoiseUsually, the word 'turtle' is used for the members of this reptile family found in the oceans, while those found on the land are termed 'tortoises'. With different sources coming up with different explanations, there seems to be some confusion about the usage of terms 'turtle' and 'tortoise'. Basically, the usage of these terms differs in accordance to the language in question. In British English, the term 'turtles' is used for those species which are found in the sea, and 'tortoises' for those inhabiting the land. In American English, on the other hand, the term 'turtles' is used as a general term to all the species belonging to this family; and the sea-dwelling species are specifically referred to as 'sea turtles'.

Classification of Turtles

Biologically speaking, turtles are reptiles belonging to the order Testudines which is further categorized into two groups (i.e. sub-orders) - Cryptodira and Pleurodira. Those species of turtles belonging to the sub-order Cryptodira are typically characterized by the ability to retract their head into the shell, while those belonging to the sub-order Pleurodira are known to fold their unusually long necks and tuck their head into the shell. Within the order Testudines, there exist 14 families of turtles - which together comprise 97 genera of this reptile species. These 14 families are classified into the two sub-orders, with Cryptodira consisting 11 families (Carettochelyidae, Cheloniidae, Chelydridae, Dermatemydidae, Dermochelyidae, Emydidae, Geoemydidae, Kinosternidae, Platysternidae, Testudinidae and Trionychidae) and Peurodira consisting 3 families (Chelidae, Pelomedusidae and Podocnemididae.)

Different Types of Turtles

From a layman's point of view, terms like order, sub-order, genus, binomial name, etc., are bound to cause confusion. In order to make it simple, each of the existing families of turtles are grouped into different types - such as the snapping turtles, sea turtles, true tortoises, mud turtles, river turtles, soft-shell turtles, side-necked turtles, etc. Given below are the details of this classification of different turtle species on the planet.
(Click on the 'image' to enlarge, and on the 'name' for details about the species.)

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)	Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)	Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)	Common snapper (Chelydra serpentina)	Ornate slider (Trachemys ornata)	Florida redbelly turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni)
Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis)	Pond slider (Trachemys scripta)	Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)	European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)	Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)	Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)	Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
Blanding's turtle (Emys blandingii)	Argentine tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis)	Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)	Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)	Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)	Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis petersi)	Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)	Herman's tortoise (Testudo hermanni)	Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana)	Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)	Yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)	Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis)	Black river turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea)

Snapping Turtles
Snapping turtles are the species of turtles which belong to family Chelydridae. This family of turtles consists two species in monotypic genera - the 'common snapping turtle' and the 'alligator snapping turtle', with their population spanning across the continents of North America and South America, besides some parts of Asia.

Genus Chelydra

Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Geographical Range: Canada, United States and Mexico Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Macrochelys

Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) Geographical Range: Southern United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are the turtles belonging to family Cheloniidae and family Dermochelyidae - which together consist seven extant species of these marine reptiles. These are the turtle species which most of the people picture when they hear the word 'turtle'. While the Cheloniidae family consists four monotypic genera and one polytypic genera, the Dermochelyidae family is made up of a single monotypic genera - with the leatherback sea turtle as the lone member of the family. Sea turtles are found in all the oceans of the world, except for the Arctic ocean.

Genus Caretta

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout the world Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Chelonia

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Geographical Range: Tropical and subtropical seas of the world Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Eretmochelys

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout the world Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Lepidochelys

Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Geographical Range: Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Geographical Range: Tropical and warm waters of the world Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Natator

Flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) Geographical Range: Endemic to Australian continental shelf Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Genus Dermochelys (Dermochelyidae sub-family)

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout the world Conservation Status: Endangered

Big-headed Turtles
The big-head turtle, found in south and southeast Asia, is the lone member of family Platysternidae i.e. the family of big-headed turtles. As the name of this monotypic species suggests, it is typically characterized by its large head. The big-headed turtle was grouped with the snapping turtles previously owing to its resemblance to them, but this placement was reconsidered as eventually it became clear that the resemblance is trivial.

Genus Platysternon

Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) Geographical Range: China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Pond Turtles and Marsh Turtles
Those species of turtles which are found in ponds and marshes across the world come together to form the Emydidae family of turtles. This group is made up of around 50 species, nearly all of which are found in the Western Hemisphere. The members of this turtle family are quite popular when it comes to pet trade, and hence are most popular of the lot.

Genus Clemmys

Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) Geographical Range: Southern Canada and the Eastern U.S. Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Emys

Blanding's turtle (Emys blandingii) Geographical Range: Southern and central Europe, West Asia and North Africa Conservation Status: Near Threatened

European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) Geographical Range: Sicily, Italy Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) Geographical Range: Canada and the United States Conservation Status: Endangered

Western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) Geographical Range: West coast of the United States of America and Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Glyptemys

Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) Geographical Range: Eastern United States Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) Geographical Range: Endemic to North America Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Terrapene

Common box turtle (Terrapene carolina) Geographical Range: Eastern United States and Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Endangered

Spotted box turtle (Terrapene nelsoni) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Terrapene ornata (Terrapene ornata) Geographical Range: Central United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Chrysemys

Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout North America Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Deirochelys

Chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Geographical Range: Southeast United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Graptemys

Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) Geographical Range: Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) Geographical Range: Endemic to the eastern United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda) Geographical Range: Endemic to the southeastern United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Cagle's map turtle (Graptemys caglei) Geographical Range: Texas, USA Conservation Status: Endangered

Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) Geographical Range: Endemic to the United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) Geographical Range: Missouri and Mississippi river systems, USA Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) Geographical Range: Southern Canada and the United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) Geographical Range: United States of America Conservation Status: NA

Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Pascagoula River in the United States Conservation Status: Endangered

Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Pearl River in the United States Conservation Status: Endangered

Ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera) Geographical Range: Pearl River in the United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) Geographical Range: Central Texas Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Yellow blotched sawback or Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) Geographical Range: Pascagoula River and its tributaries in the United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Malaclemys

Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Geographical Range: Florida Keys to Cape Cod, United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Pseudemys

Alabama red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys alabamensis) Geographical Range: Native to Alabama Conservation Status: Endangered

Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) Geographical Range: Florida and southern Georgia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Northern red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris) Geographical Range: Endemic to the United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis) Geographical Range: Florida peninsula Conservation Status: NA

Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) Geographical Range: Mexico and the United States Conservation Status: Near Threatened

River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) Geographical Range: Central and eastern United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Texas river cooter (Pseudemys texana) Geographical Range: Texas, United States Conservation Status: NA

Genus Trachemys

Baja California slider (Trachemys nebulosa) Geographical Range: Baja California, Sinaloa and Sonora in Mexico Conservation Status: NA

Big bend slider (Trachemys gaigeae) Geographical Range: New Mexico and Texas (USA) and Chihuahua (Mexico) Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Central Antillean slider (Trachemys stejnegeri) Geographical Range: Puerto Rico, Great Inagua, Dominican Republic and Haiti Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Colombian slider (Trachemys callirostris) Geographical Range: Colombia and Venezuela Conservation Status: NA

Cuatro Cienegas slider (Trachemys taylori) Geographical Range: Cuatro Ciénegas basin, Mexico Conservation Status: Endangered

Cuban slider (Trachemys decussata) Geographical Range: Native to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud Conservation Status: NA

D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) Geographical Range: Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Haitian slider (Trachemys decorata) Geographical Range: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Jamaican slider (Trachemys terrapen) Geographical Range: Bahamas and Jamaica Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Maranhão slider (Trachemys adiutrix) Geographical Range: Endemic to northeastern Brazil Conservation Status: Endangered

Meso-American slider (Trachemys venusta) Geographical Range: Mexico to Honduros Conservation Status: NA

Nicaraguan slider (Trachemys emolli) Geographical Range: Nicaragua and Costa Rica Conservation Status: NA

Ornate slider (Trachemys ornata) Geographical Range: Western Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Pond slider (Trachemys scripta) Geographical Range: Native to the US and Mexico Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Yaqui slider (Trachemys yaquia) Geographical Range: Northwestern Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Eurasian Pond and River Turtles, and Neotropical Wood Turtles
The Geoemydidae family is the largest family of turtles, with as many as 70 species to its credit. With the exception of the 9 species belonging to Genus Rhinoclemmys, which are found in Central America and South America, all the other members of Geoemydidae family are distributed across Eurasia, and the northern regions of Africa. Initially believed to be a monotypic species, the Yellow-headed temple turtle (Hieremys annandalii) has now been added to Genus Heosemys which is part of this turtle family.

Genus Batagur

Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) Geographical Range: Burma Conservation Status: Endangered

Northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Painted terrapin or Saw-jawed turtle (Batagur borneoensis) Geographical Range: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Southern river terrapin (Batagur affinis) Geographical Range: Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia Conservation Status: NA

Three-striped roofed turtle (Batagur dhongoka) Geographical Range: Nepal, Bangladesh and India Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Geoclemys

Black pond turtle or Spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Hardella

Brahminy river turtle or Crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) Geographical Range: India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Morenia

Bengal eyed terrapin (Morenia ocellata) Geographical Range: Endemic to Burma Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Indian eyed turtle (Morenia petersi) Geographical Range: India and Bangladesh Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Pangshura

Assam roofed turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis) Geographical Range: Assam and eastern Bangladesh Conservation Status: Endangered

Brown roofed turtle (Pangshura smithii) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) Geographical Range: Peninsular India Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Chinemys

Chinese broad-headed pond turtle (Chinemys megalocephala) Geographical Range: Endemic to China Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) Geographical Range: Endemic to China Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Red-necked pond turtle (Chinemys nigricans) Geographical Range: Endemic to China Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Cuora

Amboina box turtle (Cuora amboinensis) Geographical Range: Throughout south and southeast Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Chinese three-striped box turtle or Golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) Geographical Range: China Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Indochinese (flowerback) box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) Geographical Range: China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

McCord's box turtle (Cuora mccordi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Chinese Guangxi province Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Pan's box turtle (Cuora pani) Geographical Range: Endemic to China Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Southern Vietnamese box turtle (Cuora picturata) Geographical Range: Mountainous regions in southern Vietnam Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Vietnamese three-striped box turtle (Cuora cyclornata) Geographical Range: China, Vietnam and Laos Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Yellow-margined box turtle, Chinese box turtle or Snake-eating turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) Geographical Range: Central China, Taiwan and Japan Conservation Status: Endangered

Yunnan box turtle (Cuora yunnanensis) Geographical Range: Endemic to Yunan province of China Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Zhou's box turtle (Cuora zhoui) Geographical Range: China and Vietnam Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Cyclemys

Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) Geographical Range: South and southeast Asia Conservation Status: NA

Assam leaf turtle (Cyclemys gemeli) Geographical Range: Bangladesh and India Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Eastern black-bridged leaf turtle (Cyclemys pulchristiata) Geographical Range: Cambodia and Vietnam Conservation Status: NA

Enigmatic leaf turtle (Cyclemys enigmatica) Geographical Range: Brunei , Malaysia and Indonesia Conservation Status: NA

Myanmar brown leaf turtle (Cyclemys fusca) Geographical Range: Myanmar, India and Bangladesh Conservation Status: NA

Oldham's leaf turtle (Cyclemys oldhamii) Geographical Range: South and southeast Asia Conservation Status: NA

Western black-bridged leaf turtle (Cyclemys atripons) Geographical Range: Cambodia, Southeast Thailand and Vietnam Conservation Status: NA

Genus Geoemyda

Black-breasted hill turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) Geographical Range: China and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Leucocephalon

Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Indonesia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Malayemys

Malayemys macrocephala Geographical Range: Cambodia, West Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Conservation Status: NA

Malayemys subtrijuga Geographical Range: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Heosemys

Arakan forest turtle (Heosemys depressa) Geographical Range: Arakan hills of western Myanmar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Giant Asian pond turtle (Heosemys grandis) Geographical Range: Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Endangered

Yellow-headed temple turtle (Heosemys annandalii) Geographical Range: Native to Southeast Asia Conservation Status: NA

Genus Mauremys

Balkan pond turtle or Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) Geographical Range: Balkan peninsula Conservation Status: NA

Caspian turtle or Striped-neck terrapin (Mauremys caspica) Geographical Range: Eastern Mediterranean region Conservation Status: NA

Japanese pond turtle (Mauremys japonica) Geographical Range: Endemic to Japan Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Spanish pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) Geographical Range: Europe and northwestern Africa Conservation Status: NA

Vietnamese pond turtle or Annam leaf turtle (Mauremys annamensis) Geographical Range: Endemic to central Vietnam Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) Geographical Range: China, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Melanochelys

Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Tricarinate hill turtle (Melanochelys tricarinata) Geographical Range: India, Bangladesh and Nepal Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Notochelys

Malayan flat-shelled turtle (Notochelys platynota) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Ocadia

Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle (Ocadia sinensis) Geographical Range: China, Taiwan and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Ocadia glyphistoma Geographical Range: Endemic to Guangxi/China Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Philippen's striped turtle (Ocadia philippeni) Geographical Range: Hainin Province of China Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Genus Orlitia

Malaysian giant turtle or Bornean river turtle (Orlitia borneensis) Geographical Range: Indonesia and Malaysia Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Pyxidea

Keeled box turtle (Pyxidea mouhotii or Cuora mouhotii) Geographical Range: China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and India Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Rhinoclemmys

Black river turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea) Geographical Range: Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Brown wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys annulata) Geographical Range: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Colombian wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys melanosterna) Geographical Range: Colombia, Ecuador and Panama Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Furrowed wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys areolata) Geographical Range: Yucatan Peninsula and surrounding areas Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Large-nosed wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys nasuta) Geographical Range: Colombia and Ecuador Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Maracaibo wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys diademata) Geographical Range: Colombia and Venezuela Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Mexican spotted wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys rubida) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Painted wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima) Geographical Range: Mexico and Central America Conservation Status: NA

Spot-legged turtle (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) Geographical Range: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venuezuela, Trinidad and Tobago Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Sacalia

Beal's eyed turtle or Beal's four-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) Geographical Range: China and Hong Kong Conservation Status: Endangered

Chinese false-eyed turtle (Sacalia pseudocellata) Geographical Range: Hainan, China Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Four-eyed turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata) Geographical Range: China, Laos and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Siebenrockiella

Black marsh turtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis) Geographical Range: Endemic to Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Philippine forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis) Geographical Range: The island province of Palawan in Philippines Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Vijayachelys

Cochin forest cane turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica) Geographical Range: Western Ghats of India Conservation Status: Endangered

True Tortoises
The Testudinidae family of turtles, i.e. the true tortoises, is made up of all the land-dwelling species of this reptile. The two sub-families Testudininae (38 species) and Xerobatinae (6 species) together account for the 44 extant species of true tortoises on the planet. One gets to see a great deal of diversity within this family. The largest living species of tortoise - the Aldabra giant tortoise, is one of the most popular members of this turtle family.

Genus Aldabrachelys

Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) Geographical Range: Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Arnold's giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea arnoldi) Geographical Range: Seychelles islands Conservation Status: Conservation dependent

Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa Geographical Range: Seychelles islands Conservation Status: Extinct in the Wild

Genus Astrochelys

Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) Geographical Range: Endemic to Madagascar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Angulated tortoise or Madagascan (plowshare) tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) Geographical Range: Southern Madagascar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Chelonoidis

Argentine tortoise or Chilean tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) Geographical Range: Native to Argentina Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Brazilian giant tortoise or Yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) Geographical Range: South America Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis petersi) Geographical Range: Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) Geographical Range: Native to seven of the Galápagos Islands Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) Geographical Range: Native to South America Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Chersina

Bowsprit tortoise (Chersina angulata) Geographical Range: Dry areas and scrub forest in South Africa Conservation Status: NA

Genus Geochelone

African spurred tortoise or Sulcata tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) Geographical Range: Southern Sahara in Africa Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) Geographical Range: Myanmar (Burma) Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) Geographical Range: India and Sri Lanka Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Homopus

Beaked cape tortoise or Parrot-beaked cape tortoise (Homopus areolatus) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Republic of South Africa Conservation Status: NA

Berger's cape tortoise or Nama padloper (Homopus bergeri or Homopus solus) Geographical Range: Endemic to Namibia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Boulenger's cape tortoise (Homopus boulengeri) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Nama Karoo Region of South Africa and in southern Namibia Conservation Status: NA

Karroo cape tortoise (Homopus femoralis) Geographical Range: Endemic to the Karoo region of South Africa Conservation Status: NA

Speckled cape tortoise or Speckled padloper (Homopus signatus) Geographical Range: Little Namaqualand, South Africa Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Indotestudo

Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) Geographical Range: South and southeast Asia Conservation Status: Endangered

Travancore tortoise or Forsten's tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) Geographical Range: Sulawesi Island, Indonesia Conservation Status: Endangered

Travancore tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica) Geographical Range: Western Ghats of India Conservation Status: Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Kinixys

Bell's hinged-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout a large part of sub-Saharan Africa Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout the African continent Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Lobatse hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys lobatsiana) Geographical Range: Southern Africa Conservation Status: NA

Natal hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys natalensis) Geographical Range: Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Serrated hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout the African continent Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Speke's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys spekii) Geographical Range: Africa Conservation Status: NA

Genus Malacochersus

Pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) Geographical Range: Native to Tanzania and Kenya Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Psammobates

African tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius) Geographical Range: Southern Africa Conservation Status: NA

Geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) Geographical Range: South-Western Cape of South Africa Conservation Status: Endangered

Serrated star tortoise (Psammobates oculifer) Geographical Range: Southern Africa Conservation Status: NA

Genus Pyxis

Madagascan flat-tailed tortoise (Pyxis planicauda) Geographical Range: Endemic to Madagascar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Madagascan spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) Geographical Range: Endemic to Madagascar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Stigmochelys

Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) Geographical Range: Savannas of eastern and southern Africa Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Testudo

Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) Geographical Range: Egypt Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Greek tortoise or Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) Geographical Range: Europe and Africa Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Herman's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) Geographical Range: Distributed throughout southern Europe Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) Geographical Range: Greece, Italy and the Balkans in southern Europe Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Russian tortoise, Horsfield's tortoise or Central Asian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) Geographical Range: Afghanistan to north-western China Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Gopherus

Bolson tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) Geographical Range: Native to North America Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Geographical Range: Native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the US and Mexico. Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Geographical Range: Native to the southeastern United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) Geographical Range: Native to North America Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Manouria

Brown tortoise or Mountain tortoise (Manouria emys) Geographical Range: India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia Conservation Status: Endangered

Impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Pig-nosed Turtles
The pig-nose turtle is the lone member of family Carettochelyidae, and is found in the freshwater sources of the Australian continent and some parts of southeast Asia. The species is typically characterized by a beak resembling the snout of a hog, and hence the name. One of the most widespread family of turtles on the planet at one point of time, family Carettochelyidae is battling for its survival today - with the pig-nosed turtle being the sole survivor of the lot.

Genus Carettochelys

Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) Geographical Range: Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea and West Papua region Conservation Status: Endangered

Central American River Turtles
The Central American river turtle, native to the rivers of Central America, is the lone survivor of family Dermatemydidae. While the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has this species enlisted as a 'Critically Endangered' species, the U.S. Endangered Species Act has it enlisted as 'Endangered'. As in case of the pig-nosed turtle, the extinction of Central American river turtle will also mark the extinction of an entire turtle family from the planet.

Genus Dermatemys

Central American river turtle or Mesoamerican river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) Geographical Range: Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Honduras Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Mud Turtles and Musk Turtles
Mud turtles and musk turtles are the small turtles belonging to family Kinosternidae. Though there is no consensus on classification of this family, most of the sources group the 25 extant species into 4 genera. While the common name mud turtles is derived from the fact that these species are usually known to inhabit the muddy bottoms of near-stagnant water bodies, the name musk turtles is derived from their ability to release a distinct musky odor.

Genus Kinosternon

Alamos mud turtle (Kinosternon alamosae) Geographical Range: Sinaloa and Sonora Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Arizona mud turtle (Kinosternon arizonense) Geographical Range: Arizona (United States) and Sonora (Mexico) Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Central American mud turtle (Kinosternon angustipons) Geographical Range: Endemic to Central America Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Creaser's mud turtle (Kinosternon creaseri) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Dunn's mud turtle (Kinosternon dunni) Geographical Range: Endemic to Colombia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Durango mud turtle (Kinosternon durangoense) Geographical Range: Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) Geographical Range: United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Guanajuato mud turtle (Kinosternon integrum) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Herrara's mud turtle (Kinosternon herrerai) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Jalisco mud turtle (Kinosternon chimalhuaca) Geographical Range: Venezuela and Colombia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Mexican mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) Geographical Range: United States (Texas) and Mexico Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Oaxaca mud turtle (Kinosternon oaxacae) Geographical Range: Endemic to Mexico Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) Geographical Range: Mexico, Central America and South America Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) Geographical Range: Mexico and the United States Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) Geographical Range: Endemic to the United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) Geographical Range: Belize, Guatemala and Mexico Conservation Status: Near Threatened

White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) Geographical Range: Mexico, Central America and South America Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) Geographical Range: Central United States and Mexico Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Sternotherus

Common musk turtle or Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus) Geographical Range: Native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus) Geographical Range: Endemic to the United States Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor) Geographical Range: Native to the United States Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Razorback musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) Geographical Range: Native to the United States Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Genus Claudius

Narrow-bridged musk turtle (Claudius angustatus) Geographical Range: Mexico, Guatemala and Belize Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Staurotypus

Chiapas giant musk turtle (Staurotypus salvinii) Geographical Range: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Mexican giant musk turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus) Geographical Range: Central America and Mexico Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Softshell Turtles
Softshell turtles, or softshells as they are often called, are turtles belonging to family Trionychidae, typically characterized by a carpace which is hard in the center, leathery towards the edges and lacks the typical horny scales. (The spiny softshell is the only member of this family of turtles which sports a carpace with scaly projections.) Softshell turtles are found in Asia, Africa and South America, wherein the 13 existing genera of turtles are grouped into two subfamilies - Cyclanorbinae and Trionychinae.

Genus Cyclanorbis

Nubian flapshell turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans) Geographical Range: Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan and Togo Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Senegal flapshell turtle (Cyclanorbis senegalensis) Geographical Range: Most the African continent Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Cycloderma

Aubry's flapshell turtle (Cycloderma aubryi) Geographical Range: Democratic Republic of Congo, Zaire, Gabon and Angola Conservation Status: NA

Zambezi flapshell turtle (Cycloderma frenatum) Geographical Range: Southeastern Africa Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Lissemys

Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Burmese flapshell turtle (Lissemys scutata) Geographical Range: Myanmar and Thailand Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Genus Amyda

Asiatic softshell turtle (Amyda cartilaginea) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Amyda nakornsrithammarajensis Geographical Range: Thailand and surrounding regions Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Apalone

Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) Geographical Range: The states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama in the U.S. Conservation Status: NA

Smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) Geographical Range: Eastern United States Conservation Status: NA

Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) Geographical Range: Canada, United States and Mexico Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Chitra

Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra) Geographical Range: Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Siamese narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra chitra) Geographical Range: Indian subcontinent Conservation Status: NA

Javanese narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra javanensis) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: NA

Indian narrow-headed shelled turtle (Chitra indica) Geographical Range: India and Pakistan Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Burmese narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra vandijki) Geographical Range: Southeast Asia Conservation Status: NA

Genus Dogania

Malayan soft-shelled turtle (Dogania subplana) Geographical Range: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Nilssonia

Burmese softshell turtle (Nilssonia formosa) Geographical Range: Endemic to Myanmar Conservation Status: Endangered

Ganges softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) Geographical Range: South Asia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum) Geographical Range: Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Nagpur softshell turtle (Nilssonia leithii) Geographical Range: Peninsular India Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) Geographical Range: India and Bangladesh Conservation Status: Extinct in the Wild

Genua Palea

Wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri) Geographical Range: Native to China and Vietnam Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Pelochelys

New Guinea giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys bibroni) Geographical Range: Australia, West Papua, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Cantor's giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) Geographical Range: South and southeast Asia Conservation Status: Endangered

Northern New Guinea giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys signifera) Geographical Range: Endemic to Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: NA

Genus Pelodiscus

Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) Geographical Range: China, Korea, North Vietnam and Japan and Russia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Hunan softshell turtle (Pelodiscus axenaria) Geographical Range: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Conservation Status: NA

Lesser Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus parviformis) Geographical Range: Guangxi Zhuang Region and Hunan Province Conservation Status: NA

Northern Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus maackii) Geographical Range: Russia, Northeast China, Democratic Republic of Korea and South Korea Conservation Status: NA

Genus Rafetus

Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus) Geographical Range: Iraq, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, and Khūzestān Province of Iran Conservation Status: Endangered

Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) Geographical Range: Vietnam and China Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Trionyx

African softshell turtle or Nile softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) Geographical Range: Parts of Africa and Near East Conservation Status: NA

Side-necked Turtles
Side-necked turtles are those species which turn their neck sidewards and tuck their head in a cavity near their front legs, instead of retracting it into the shell. These turtles are predominantly found in the southern hemisphere of the planet. The extant side-necked turtle species are further classified into two families based on their geographical range - family Chelidae, which comprises Austro-American side-necked turtles, and family Pelomedusidae, which comprises African side-neck turtles and the Madagascan big-headed and American side-neck river turtles).

Genus Chelodina

Arnhem land long neck turtle (Chelodina burrungandjii) Geographical Range: Northern Territory, Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Broad-shelled turtle (Chelodina expansa) Geographical Range: Southern Australia Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Cann's snake-neck turtle (Chelodina canni) Geographical Range: Northern and northeastern parts of Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) Geographical Range: Northern Queensland to South Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Narrow-breasted snake-necked turtle (Macrodiremys colliei) Geographical Range: Endemic to the southwestern part of Western Australia Conservation Status: Near Threatened

New Guinea snake-necked turtle (Chelodina novaeguineae) Geographical Range: Northeastern Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Northern long-necked turtle (Chelodina rugosa) Geographical Range: Australia, Indonesia and Pitcairn Islands Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Parker's snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina parkeri) Geographical Range: West Papua in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Pritchard's snake-necked turtle (Chelodina pritchardi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Endangered

Reimann's snake-necked turtle (Chelodina reimanni) Geographical Range: Indonesia Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) Geographical Range: Rote Island between New Guinea and Australia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Steindachner's snake-neck Turtle (Chelodina steindachneri) Geographical Range: Western Australia Conservation Status: NA

Genus Elseya

Branderhorst's snapping turtle (Elseya branderhorstii) Geographical Range: Endemic to Indonesia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Gulf snapping turtle (Elseya lavarackorum) Geographical Range: Endemic to Australia Conservation Status: Endangered

Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) Geographical Range: Fitzroy River, Queensland Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Northern snapping turtle (Elseya dentata) Northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory Conservation Status: Least Concerned

White throated Snapping turtle (Elseya albagula) Geographical Range: Endemic to southeastern Queensland, Australia Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Emydura

Macquarie turtle (Emydura macquarii) Geographical Range: Eastern Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Northern yellow-faced turtle (Emydura tanybaraga) Geographical Range: Northern Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Red-bellied short-necked turtle or Jardine river turtle (Emydura subglobosa) Geographical Range: Australia and Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Victoria river red-faced turtle (Emydura victoriae) Geographical Range: Northern Australia Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Elusor

Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) Geographical Range: Mary River in South-East Queensland Conservation Status: Endangered

Genus Myuchelys

Bellinger river snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Australia Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Manning river snapping turtle (Myuchelys purvisi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Australia Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Namoi river snapping turtle (Myuchelys belli) Geographical Range: Endemic to New South Wales, Australia Conservation Status: Endangered

New Guinea snapping turtle (Myuchelys novaeguineae) Geographical Range: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys latisternum) Geographical Range: Endemic to Australia Data Deficient

Genus Pseudemydura

Western swamp tortoise (Pseudemydura umbrina) Geographical Range: Western Australia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Rheodytes

Fitzroy River Turtle (Rheodytes leukops) Geographical Range: Endemic to south eastern Queensland, Australia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Chelus

Mata-mata or Matamata (Chelus fimbriatus) Geographical Range: Amazon and Orinoco basins, South America Least Concerned

Genus Acanthochelys

Big-headed pantanal swamp turtle (Acanthochelys macrocephala) Geographical Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Black spine-neck swamp turtle (Acanthochelys spixii) Geographical Range: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay Near Threatened

Brazilian radiolated swamp turtle (Acanthochelys radiolata) Geographical Range: Endemic to Brazil Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Chaco side-necked turtle (Acanthochelys pallidipectoris) Geographical Range: Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Mesoclemmys

Amazon toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys raniceps) Geographical Range: Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil Conservation Status: NA

Dahl's toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys dahli) Geographical Range: Endemic to Colombia Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) Geographical Range: Most of South America Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Hoge's side-necked turtle (Mesoclemmys hogei) Geographical Range: Endemic to Brazil Conservation Status: Endangered

Mesoclemmys heliostemma Geographical Range: South America Conservation Status: NA

Mesoclemmys nasuta Geographical Range: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil Conservation Status: NA

Mesoclemmys perplexa Geographical Range: Endemic to Brazil Conservation Status: NA

Tuberculate toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys tuberculata) Geographical Range: Endemic to Brazil Conservation Status: NA

Vanderhaege's toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei) Geographical Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Zulia toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys zuliae) Geographical Range: Endemic to Venezuela Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Phrynops

Cotinga river toadhead turtle (Phrynops tubersosus) Geographical Range: South America Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) Geographical Range: Most of South America Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Hilaire's side-necked turtle (Phrynops hilarii) Geographical Range: Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Williams' side-necked turtle (Phrynops williamsi) Geographical Range: Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina Conservation Status: NA

Genus Platemys

Twist-necked turtle (Platemys platycephala) Geographical Range: Northern South America Least Concerned

Genus Rhinemys

Red side-necked turtle (Rhinemys rufipes) Geographical Range: Brazil, Colombia and Peru Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Genus Hydromedusa

Argentine snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera) Geographical Range: Northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil Conservation Status: NA

Brazilian snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa maximiliani) Geographical Range: Endemic to Brazil Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Pelomedusa

African helmeted turtle or Marsh terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa) Geographical Range: Most the African continent Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Pelusios

Adanson's mud turtle (Pelusios adansonii) Geographical Range: Most the African continent Conservation Status: NA

African dwarf mud turtle (Pelusios nanus) Geographical Range: Southern Africa Conservation Status: NA

African forest turtle (Pelusios gabonensis) Geographical Range: Tropical West Africa Conservation Status: NA

African keeled mud turtle (Pelusios carinatus) Geographical Range: Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo Conservation Status: NA

Central african mud turtle (Pelusios chapini) Geographical Range: Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo Conservation Status: NA

East African black mud turtle (Pelusios subniger) Geographical Range: Eastern and southeastern Africa Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Gabon mud turtle (Pelusios marani) Geographical Range: Endemic to Gabon Conservation Status: NA

Okavango mud turtle (Pelusios bechuanicus) Geographical Range: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe Conservation Status: NA

Serrated hinged terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) Geographical Range: Southern Africa Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Turkana mud turtle (Pelusios broadleyi) Geographical Range: Endemic to Kenya Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Upemba mud turtle (Pelusios upembae) Geographical Range: Endemic to Democratic Republic of the Congo Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Variable mud turtle (Pelusios rhodesianus) Geographical Range: Most the African continent Conservation Status: Least Concerned

West African black turtle (Pelusios niger) Geographical Range: West Africa Conservation Status: NA

West African mud turtle (Pelusios castaneus) Geographical Range: Most the African continent Conservation Status: NA

Williams Mud Turtle (Pelusios williamsi) Geographical Range: Endemic to the upper Nile drainage Conservation Status: NA

Yellow-bellied mud turtle (Pelusios castanoides) Geographical Range: Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania Conservation Status: Least Concerned

Genus Erymnochelys

Madagascan big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) Geographical Range: Western Madagascar Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Genus Peltocephalus

Big-headed Amazon River turtle or Big-headed sideneck (Peltocephalus dumerilianus) Geographical Range: Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Venezuela and Ecuador Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Genus Podocnemis

Arrau river turtle or Charapa turtle (Podocnemis expansa) Geographical Range: South America and the Caribbean Conservation Status: Conservation dependent

Red-headed Amazon side-necked turtle or Red-headed sideneck (Podocnemis erythrocephala) Geographical Range: Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Rio Magdalena river turtle or Magdalena river turtle (Podocnemis lewyana) Endemic to Colombia Conservation Status: Endangered

Savanna side-necked turtle (Podocnemis vogli) Venezuela and Colombia Conservation Status: NA

Six-tubercled Amazon river turtle or Six-tubercled river turtle (Podocnemis sextuberculata) Geographical Range: Brazil, Colombia and Peru Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle or Yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) Geographical Range: Amazon basin Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Though the Madagascan big-headed turtles and the American side-neck river turtles have often been grouped into family Podocnemididae, it is believed that the members of this turtle family are quite similar to the members of family Pelomedusidae - and hence the two families should be merged.

Though the turtles - with a history of 200 million years, boast of being one of the longest living species on the Earth, serious questions are being raised about their future. In a study by the 'IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group', it was revealed that 25 species of turtles are at an 'extremely high risk of extinction'. The data on sea turtles was not taken into consideration in course of this study; had it been included the leatherback sea turtle and the Kemp's ridley sea turtle would have had also featured in this list of critically endangered turtles.

Large-scale predation, habitat destruction, overharvesting for food,... and so on. The list of threats these turtles face seems to be never ending. While turtle conservation projects do exist, it is difficult to keep a check on illegal poaching of these reptiles - which, though illegal, has become a multi-million dollar industry. Wildlife experts also suggest that this is just a rough picture, and the actual situation is much more grave than what it is believed to be.