Barbour's map turtle, or Graptemys barbouri, is also called Barbour's sawback turtle, due to the sharp ridges running down the center of its shell. This turtle is native to Alabama's southern counties and riparian areas near the Chattahoochee and Choctawhatchee Rivers. This turtle's diet consists of invertebrates and mollusks. The official state reptile of Alabama is the red-bellied turtle, or Pseudemys alabamensis. This turtle receives its name from the red coloration at the bottom of its shell. Red-bellied turtles live in the swampy wetlands near Mobile Bay. The U.S. Endangered Species Act protects this turtle, due to its declining population.
The hawksbill sea turtle, or Eretmochelys imbricata, are found along the Alabama shoreline in the winter. During this season, these sea turtles nest on the shorelines. As of April 2011, hawksbill sea turtles are endangered in Alabama, due to egg collecting and water contamination. These turtles receive their name from their sharp beaks. During the winter, leatherback sea turtles, or Dermochelys coriacea, dwell near the Alabama coastline. As adults, leatherback sea turtles grow up to seven feet in length and weigh approximately one ton, making them the largest sea turtle species. This turtle's shell has a leathery appearance with rows of ridges on its back.
The Florida softshell turtle, or Apalone ferox, is native from the Coastal Plain region of South Carolina to the Mobile region of southern Alabama. This softshell species has webbed feet, making it a quick swimmer. Some of the Florida softshell turtle's habitats include lakes, ponds, canals and swamps. Found in southern Alabama, the Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle, or Apalone spinifera aspera, is a dark-colored specimen with two yellow lines on the bottom side of its shell and face. These turtles are found in estuaries, rivers and swampy areas.
The eastern mud turtle, or Kinosternon subrubrum, is found throughout Alabama; its native range includes states in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Midwest regions. These turtles spend much of their time in water and nest in riparian areas. Eastern mud turtles are called "mud turtles" because they stay underground during the winter. Also called "stinpot," the common musk turtle, or Sternotherus odoratus, is found in northern and southern Alabama. In Alabama, these turtles are active year-round. To avoid predators, these turtles release a musky odor. These turtles dine on insects, crustaceans and small frogs.