Turtles, which belong to the order Testudines, are reptiles who have hard shells that protect their bodies. These consist of the upper shell-- the carapace, and the lower shell-- the plastron. They dig nests and lay their eggs on land. Species can be aquatic, semi-aquatic or terrestrial. There are over 300 species of turtles, of which 12 can be found in Connecticut. Most of these turtles are from the family Emydidae, pond turtles– consisting of primarily aquatic species. Other aquatic families such as Chelydridae, snapping turtles, and Kinosternidae, musk turtles, are also found in the state. Some sea turtles, Cheloniidae, can be seen off the shores of Connecticut. 
To learn more about the turtles found in Connecticut, click on a species below: