Some are rare and need to be protected, others can be found in the wild and at home as pets. "Herp" is derived from "herpetology", which is from Greek, meaning the study (-logy) of reptiles (herpeton), though in current usage it … While loggerhead turtles are by far the most common, green, leatherback, ridley and hawksbill turtles can also be found. Overall, twenty species of turtles, belonging to six different families inhabit North Carolina. Florida Cooter. Musk turtles have two light stripes on their heads. You can enjoy learning about all of the beautiful sea turtles … A collection of interesting pictures and information of turtless found in South Carolina. The sea turtles found along North Carolina’s Outer Banks are among the world’s “largest living reptiles,” weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Five of the eight common species of turtles can be found along North Carolina’s coast. Then click below for more information you need to know. Box turtles are the only species which can shut their plastron completely, these are also the only fully terrestrial turtles found in North Carolina. Thinking of getting one? There are 21 species of turtles found in the state of North Carolina alone. These are the most widespread of the eastern box turtles, found from Florida to Massachusetts and from Michigan to northwestern Mississippi. If you're walking near a stream in eastern Oklahoma, you may come across one of the three species of map turtles found in the state. All sea turtles are protected under both state and federal threatened or endangered species laws. Have a turtle for a pet? is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of the habitats and migration routes of Sea Turtle and other marine animals on the Outer Banks of North Carolina from the Virginia border to Oregon Inlet. The Common Musk Turtle Common Musk turtles can be found all throughout North Carolina in all three regions. Five of these species are sea turtles and one (the Eastern Box Turtle) is primarily terrestrial. Sea turtles are highly visible at all three North Carolina Aquariums, which are also involved in rescue, rehabilitation and release. Being the only 'land' turtle found in North Carolina and due to its well known status and popularity, the Eastern Box Turtle was chosen as North Carolina's official state reptile in 1979. Although the most common species in North Carolina is the loggerhead sea turtle, five sea turtle species regularly visit North Carolina waters: the loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, green and hawksbill. These turtles have a highly domed carapace and a hinged plastron. Turtles That Are Found in Indiana. North Carolina Amphibian and Reptile Photos. Turtles are found throughout North Carolina, from the Coastal Plain to the mountains in the west. There are only seven species of sea turtles worldwide, and six are listed as threatened or endangered in the United States. The Loggerhead is the most common sea turtle to lay its eggs on North Carolina beaches, although all but the Hawksbill have been found to occasionally nest here. These herbivorous aquatic turtles are often found basking on downed logs along river banks. PINE KNOLL SHORES, N.C. (WNCT) Last week, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores received 23 cold-stunned green and four Kemp’s ridley sea turtles found from throughout the area. Reptiles and Amphibians are often referred to as "herps". NC SEA TURTLES: The most well known and common Sea Turtle to NC is the Loggerhead Turtle. The Aquarium on Roanoke Island, located on the Outer Banks, features a Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit. The three are the common map turtle ... Types of North Carolina Turtles. Common Musk Turtles (or also known as stinkpots) have small bottom shells and it has a single hinge that provides little to no protection for their legs, distinguishing them from the similar mud turtles. Turtles are found throughout North Carolina, from the Coastal Plain to the mountains in the west. Photos by Will Cook, mostly taken in North Carolina. The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) Some other sea turtles found on the coast of North Carolina are the Green, Kemps Ridley, Leatherback and Hawksbill.