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Growing up with five brothers meant summers were a blur of backyard baseball games, lightning bugs, hide-and-seek until dark and critters around every corner, including turtles, which we treated like backyard celebrities. Whether it was a box turtle wandering through the flower beds or a big old slider sunning on a log by the pond, they were just part of the scene. I didn’t know it then, but Arkansas is home to 17 native turtle species—including the legendary alligator snapping turtle, the state’s official reptile and one prehistoric-looking creature that would make even your toughest brother jump the first time you spot one near the river.
A Diverse Group with Ancient Roots
Turtles are among the most ancient and resilient creatures God created—designed to thrive in a wide range of habitats. In Arkansas, you can find them just about everywhere: freshwater streams and lakes, hardwood forests, swamps and even backyards. Some of the most well-known Arkansas turtles include:
- Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina): Recognizable by its domed shell and colorful markings, this land-dwelling turtle is often seen crossing rural roads after a rain. They can live for decades and are known to return to the same territory year after year.
- Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina): These powerful reptiles with prehistoric looks can grow quite large and are most often found in murky ponds and slow-moving waters. Despite their aggressive reputation, they prefer to be left alone and play an important role as scavengers.
- Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans): Perhaps the most frequently spotted turtle in Arkansas, these basking beauties can be seen stacked on logs in sunny waterways. They are adaptable and widespread, though in some areas their dominance raises concerns about competition with other species.
- Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii):
A true giant of southern waters, this turtle can weigh over 100 pounds. They are almost exclusively aquatic and tend to stay submerged and motionless for so long that algae begins to grow on their shells.Fun Fact: Alligator Snapping Turtles can stay underwater for 50 minutes before needing to surface for a gulp of air. Except for egg-laying females, these turtles seldom come on land. River systems, lakes, and wetlands are their preferred habitats. It is listed as a species of special concern in Arkansas due to habitat loss and overharvesting in the past.
Importance of Turtles in the Ecosystem
Turtles are more than just slow-moving curiosities. They are vital to the health of ecosystems, acting as both predators and prey and as natural recyclers. Aquatic turtles help control insect and algae populations, while land-dwellers like the box turtle aid in seed dispersal.
However, turtles face increasing threats in Arkansas, including habitat destruction, road mortality, pollution and illegal pet trade. Because many turtles have long life spans and low reproductive rates, even small changes in survival rates can have big impacts on populations.
What You Can Do to Help
- Protect habitats: Support conservation efforts that preserve wetlands, forests and natural waterways.
- Drive carefully: Watch for turtles crossing the road, especially in spring and early summer when they are most active.
- Don’t take wild turtles as pets: Removing them disrupts local ecosystems and often leads to poor outcomes for the turtle.
- Get involved: Volunteer with organizations like the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) or local nature centers working on turtle research and protection.
Don’t Relocate—Just Assist
Many well-meaning people try to help box turtles by removing them from roadways, but relocating them far from where they were found can cause harm. Turtles often try to return to their original territory, increasing their risk of injury or death. They may also carry diseases that could spread to local turtle populations. Additionally, stopping on busy roads to move turtles can be dangerous for people. The best way to help is to simply move the turtle to the side of the road it was heading toward. If relocation is absolutely necessary, move the turtle only a short distance from where it was found.
Turtles may not always steal the spotlight, but they’re an enduring symbol of resilience and balance in the wild. Whether you’re paddling through the cypress swamps of eastern Arkansas or hiking a ridge in the Ozarks, keep an eye out; you might catch a glimpse of one of these armored ambassadors of Arkansas’s natural heritage.
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