Turtles of TN - Natural History

Range: Statewide, common

Habitat: Varied, prefers soft mud bottoms in warm, shallow areas with abundant vegetation

Behavior: Relatively docile in water, aggressive on land; raise bodies high off ground. Spend 3-4 hrs submerged at a time, bask but less than other aquatic turtles. Colonize new areas readily.

Diet: Varied incl. fish, frogs, invertebrates, waterfowl, and carrion.

Range: Western TN, relatively rare

Habitat: slow-moving or still water 

Behavior: Non-aggressive but will defend if provoked; gapes. Very rarely found on land or basking.

Diet: Primarily live fish

Range: Western and extreme SE TN, common where it occurs

Habitat: variety of shallow, still to slow-moving aquatic/wetlands 

Behavior: Can close up in shell completely. Walks along bottom more than swims. Rarely basks but will wander over land and has been observed crossing roads.

Diet: Primarily crustaceans, mollusks, other aquatic inverts but sometimes plant material

Range: Only eastern TN (uncommon), but common elsewhere (further south)

Habitat: Mostly large spring runs, creeks, and small rivers

Behavior: Highly aquatic, crawls along bottom; goes ashore only to nest but occasionally crawls up cypress knees or snags to bask. Discharges musky excretion upon capture. Communal nests together in sand.

Diet: Juveniles - primarily insects; adults - snails and clams

Range: Statewide, common

Habitat: shallow, slow-moving, muddy-bottomed aquatic environments (many habitats)

Behavior: Secrete foul smelling musk when distrurbed and bites. Rarely basks, not likely to be encountered on land.
Diet: Invertebrates, fish, and carrion

Range: Statewide, locally common

Habitat: mostly ponds and shallow lakes; unusually high tolerance for pollution

Behavior: Basks frequently, often in large numbers on logs in water. Not common to find on land but can travel from one body of water to another.

Diet: aquatic insects and plants, some fish

Range: Northeastern corner of TN, rare

Habitat: isolated bogs (in TN)

Behavior: Usually buried, seldom seen; occasionally basks.

Diet: Mostly insects/invertebrates but some plant material

Range: Statewide except extreme western, uncommon but locally common elsewhere.

Habitat: mostly larger streams, rivers, and lakes 

Behavior: has been seen walking about under ice after cold spells. Basks commonly on logs in water, very uncommon to encounter on land

Diet: mostly aquatic invertebrates

Range: only Mississippi River & tributaries, uncommon to locally common

Habitat: large rivers and Reelfoot Lake

Behavior: Very shy, drops into water quickly if disturbed. Basks frequently on logs and limbs angled out of water. Rarely encountered on land except to nest.

Diet: Primarily mollusks and insects, some plant material

Range: Statewide, common

Habitat: moderate to large streams w/ moderate currents

Behavior: Cannot swallow out of the water. Basks frequently but rarely encountered on land (except to nest)

Diet: Aquatic plants

Range: Statewide, common (one of most abundant)

Habitat:Variety incl. rivers, ditches, sloughs, lakes/ponds; prefers quiet, permanent waters with a muddy bottom and lots
of vegetation for basking 

Behavior: Frequently basks, often stacked. Not very shy. Occasionally found on land when nesting or moving to other areas

Diet: Varied incl. aquatic plants, insects, fish, and carrion. Adult females largely herbivorous, young adult males mostly carnivorous.

Range: Statewide, uncommon & declining

Habitat: varied terrestrial - woodlands, pastures, meadows, gardens

Behavior: Can close up in shell completely. Slow moving, diurnal, occurs almost exclusively on land.

Diet: Varied incl. fruit, snails/slugs, worms, insects, mushrooms, and flowers

Range: Statewide, uncommon (locally common elsewhere)

Habitat: large rivers w/ soft substrates

Behavior: Buries in mud, extremely fast in the water. Less likely to bite when handled. Basks occasionally. Rarely encountered on land.

Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, some fish, amphibians, and plants

Range: Statewide, fairly common

Habitat: streams and rivers w/ soft substrates
Behavior: Buries in mud, extremely fast in the water. Basks occasionally. Rarely encountered on land. Courtship display involves waving webbed feet, extending neck, and shaking head

Diet: mostly fish and invertebrates