Clearwater Marine Aquarium is well known for its resident sea turtles but also home to a variety of other reptile species. There are a number of different creatures that are worth learning about.
Where to See
Other Reptiles
Diamondback Terrapin
(Malaclemys terrapin)
- Status
- Near Threatened
- Average Size
- 5-10 in
- Location
- Eastern US, Gulf Coast
- Threats
- Bycatch (crab traps), loss of habitat, nest predation
- Defining Characteristics
- Concentric, diamond-shaped markings and grooves on the scutes
The range of these turtles extends as far south as Bermuda and as far north as Massachusetts. The Mississippi subspecies only lives along the coastal areas from east Louisiana to the Florida panhandle.
Red-Footed Tortoise
(Chelonoidis carbonarius)
- Average Size
- 13.5 In
- Location
- South America and Caribbean Islands
- Habitat
- Dry and wet forests, grasslands, and savannas
- Diet
- Small invertebrates, leaves, grasses, fungi, fruit, flowers
Florida Kingsnake
(Lampropeltis getula floridana)
- Average Size
- 36-48 In
- Habitat
- Florida’s Prairies, Marshes, Scrubs, and Estuaries
- Diet
- Rodents, Birds, Reptiles
Florida Kingsnake populations have been on the serious decline mostly due to habitat loss. Florida Fish and Wildlife would like notification from the public on any observations of kingsnakes.
Indian Star Tortoise
(Geochelone elegans)
- STATUS
- Threatened
- LIFESPAN
- 25- 80 Years Old
- AVERAGE SIZE
- 7-12 in
- DIET
- Mainly herbivores. Grasses, flowers, fruit & insects
Russian Tortoise
(Testudo horsfieldii)
- STATUS
- Vulnerable
- LIFESPAN
- 40+ Years
- SIZE
- Males 4-6 inches on average & Females 9-10 inches on average
- DISTRIBUTION
- Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, and Western China
- DIET
- High fiber, low protein diet consisting mainly of green leafy vegetables and grasses
Smallwood Anole
(Anolis smallwoodi schwartz)
- HABITAT
- Semi-deciduous, evergreen, gallery forests, rainforest, mangroves, and coffee plantations.
- GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
- Native to Cuba
- PREY
- Insects, grubs, and tree frogs
- PREDATORS
- Snakes and birds
Loggerhead Musk Turtle
(Sternotherus minor)
- STATUS
- Least Concern
- SIZE
- Identifiable by a large head in proportion to body size. Average size (carapace length) of adults is typically 3-5 inches (7.5-11.5 cm). Females are typically slightly larger than Males.
- LIFESPAN
- 20 years
- PREY
- Insects, Crayfish, Small Snails and Mollusks
