The Endangered and Protected Turtle and Tortoise Species of the United States

(Part 2 of a 4-part series)

Welcome to Turtle-Tech’s four-part series looking at the endangered and protected turtle and tortoise species of the United States. Although turtle keeping is a popular hobby and interest here in the U.S. and many thousands of pet turtles and tortoises can be found throughout the States, there are still some species that are generally “off limits” to the common hobbyist. In this series we will look at seven individual species native to the United States and two imported species now common here, all under Federal protection. In this, part 2 of our series, we will highlight three more endangered native freshwater species: The Ringed Map Turtle, and the Alabama and Plymouth Red Belly Turtles. Two of these species from our Southern States and one from the North. In our future articles we will highlight the Desert Tortoise from our western states and the Gopher Tortoise from our eastern States. And finally, a look at two imported resident species, the Sulcata Tortoise and the Indian Spotted Turtle, while not native here in North America, still protected by international laws.

Currently the US Fish and Wildlife Service list six species of freshwater turtles and two tortoise species, all indigenous to the United States and protected or monitored in some manner by direct Federal Laws. There are also many other species with State imposed restrictions. Some species cannot be removed from their natural range under any conditions, while other species can be removed in limited numbers with the proper permits or licenses. Some species can be held legally but only in limited numbers. Florida, for example limits the ownership of the Alligator Snapping Turtle to one per individual while Louisiana limits the ownership of Box Turtles to four per individual. In South Carolina, new laws prohibit the selling of nine species indigenous to that State and limits ownership of others.

These assorted State and Federal laws are designed to slow, and in some cases completely stop the interaction with people so that wild populations are left alone to propagate without interference. Though well intended, these various restrictions are viewed by many as detrimental to the very species they are designed to protect, and completely miss the mark in regard to securing these species survival. Simply restricting interaction with the pet and breeder turtle communities does nothing to address massive habitat destruction, pesticidal poisoning, water supply pollution, or the ever-growing fragmentation of turtle populations by farming and sprawling rural developments. Unless these major issues destroying the turtles environment are addressed, simply limiting interaction with people will have little effectiveness on the long term survival of these species. Many successfully argue that captive breeding is the only true way of assuring a species survival.

Turtle-Tech will address these issues and the road to effective conservation in an up-coming article “The Crossroads to Turtle Conservation”. But for now, let’s look at our next three protected turtle species.

The Ringed Map Turtle

The Ringed Map Turtle gained Federal Protection in 1986, it being the first North American Map Turtle species to receive that status. Since that time, only the Yellow Blotched Map Turtle has joined the Ringed map, being offered Federal protection status in 1991. Currently these are the only two, of sixteen recognized varieties of Map Turtles to gain protective consideration from the Federal Government. Many other Map Turtle Species do however, have some level of supervision on a State level.

It is easy to see why this particular species received the attention that is has, as it is a beautiful species, the picture above highlighting its color pattern next to its river-mate, the Pearl River Map turtle. The very limited natural range of the Ringed Map is another consideration that ushered in its protected status, being common in only one major southern river system. The Ringed Map is found in scattered populations, throughout the Pearl River/Bogue Chitto river systems of Mississippi. Generally from mid-State south into parts of southeastern Louisiana. Although the Pearl River Map turtle shares these same limited parameters, due to its higher general population levels, it receives no protection at this time.

As with many Map Turtle species, long term survival for the Ringed Map looks challenging, mostly due to the factors commonly effecting many turtle species; growing habitat destruction, water contaminates and silting, and tremendous nest site destruction (some estimates of up to 82% loss) by natural and introduced predators. As raccoons, opossums, fox, and wild hogs all prey on nesting areas – while larger water birds, game fish and alligators take their share of hatchlings, many would agree that the only real safety net for species survival rest with the turtle community and private breeding. The Ringed Map turtle has indeed benefited from private breeding programs, and thankfully a small number of baby captive raised Ringed Map Turtles can now be obtained legally in some States. These babies, raised by dedicated turtle hobbyist, will provide future generations and opportunities for additional captive breeding projects. This captive breeding approach, turtle hobbyist involvement, together with habitat protection, would combine to assure the survival of this species.

The Alabama and Plymouth Red Belly Turtles

Red Belly Turtles are a fairly commonly seen variety throughout most of the Southeastern United States, some even ranging north up the eastern seaboard into Pennsylvania and New Jersey. But there are two distinct populations of Red Belly Turtles that have a special place in the hearts of Federal and State officials of Fish and Wildlife protection. The first of these populations is known as the Plymouth Red Belly Turtle, which is an isolated populace of Red Bellies that inhabit remote areas of southeastern Massachusetts. Though some may argue that the Plymouth Red Belly may not truly deserve its sub-species status (Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi), and that it may very well be just a far ranging group of the common Northern Red Belly (P. rubriventris), currently it is indeed recognized as a separate sub-species and is acknowledged as being the first freshwater turtle species Federally protected by the USFWS. After a two year battle, finally winning protected status early in 1980. With the far Northern population of Plymouth Red Belly’s being separated by hundreds of miles from their closest relatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it’s likely that they will hold on to that status as a separate population and sub-species. But general characteristics of the Plymouth match closely to the common Northern Red Belly, typical red overtones on both carapace and plastron, yellow/whitish stripping on blackish head colors, and the basic size and shape. Once low population numbers for the Plymouth have begun to come up as successful conservation measures have started to show positive results, so it is hoped that the Plymouth Red Belly is on a good road to recovery.

The second Red Belly population to be distinguished from the greater group of Northern and Southern (Florida) Red Belly turtles is the Alabama Red Belly (Pseudemys alabamensis), This Red Belly populace is the farthest westerly ranging group of red belly turtles and extends throughout the Mobile bay region of Alabama, and is said, into eastern Mississippi’s Pascagoula river system. It inhabits slow water ponds and marshlands, usually with heavy vegetation. The Alabama Red belly is a large turtle with adults ranging into the 12-15 inch size, with the distinctive extra thick shell these turtles are known for. As with all the Red Belly family, the upper shell shows some varying red overtones and the bottom shell the characteristic red color pattern typical of the Red Belly varieties. It does show one differing feature in the structure of the mouth, which is unique to this species. The Alabama Red Belly gained Federal protection in 1987 and also strict regulation from the Alabama State Wildlife authorities. It is also the State Reptile of Alabama. Yet despite its protected status on both the State and Federal levels, the Alabama Red Belly’s population appears still to be on the decline. Total population estimates range between 1,000-10,000 individuals remaining. Natural and introduced predators continue their assault on nesting sites, while game fish, alligators, and larger water birds take their share of the hatchlings. If any species could benefit from a captive breeding program, The Alabama Red Belly would most certainly be one. As both the Northern and Florida Red Belly’s respond well to captive breeding, there is little reason to suggest that the Alabama would be any different. However as far as it is known, no such program exists, and it appears that the Alabama Red Belly’s strict “protection” may possibly be its doom.