Identify Which Kind of Turtle
Some would say that all turtles look alike, they have a shell and a neck and head that stick out from it. However, this is a common misconception and in fact, there are a great deal of differences between turtles.
Necks
Many turtles vary on how long their necks are. Some have very long necks that come far out of their shells, while others do not. A great way to identify which kind of turtle you are looking at is by the neck. For example, a snapping turtle will have a very small neck that does not go outside of its shell, while others, like box turtles, have a longer neck.
Size
There are large turtles, like the snapping turtle and leatherback sea turtle, and there are small turtles like the painted turtles and box turtles. Size is one of the best ways to tell the difference between the species to help you identify which kind of turtle you are looking at.
Shell
Probably the best way to identify which kind of turtle you are looking at is through the shell. The shell can be dome like, flatter, or no shell at all, like in the case of the leatherback sea turtle. As well, the shell will give you the ability to know what kind of turtle it is based on the color of it. Some turtles are olive colored, others are spotted or green, while the painted turtle has beautiful, almost painted designs on its shell and underside.
Flippers
While a shell is a great way to identify which kind of turtle you are looking at, if the turtle has flippers instead of feet, then you know you are looking at a sea turtle, making this feature the easiest way to tell the difference between turtles.
Conclusion
With over 300 species of turtles worldwide, there is going to be a great deal of variety and differences between the types of turtles in existence. As a result, it can be difficult to know what kind of turtle you are looking at, but by looking at the key differences, you should be able to figure it out quick enough. If you are out in the wild, it will probably be best to know whether you are about to pet a snapping turtle, or a laid back box turtle. Hence the importance in being able to identify what kind of turtle you are looking at.