Emydidae
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Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, are a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtles were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtles, is entirely a Western Hemisphere family. The family Emydidae includes close to 50 species.
The upper shell (carapace) of most emydids is the shape of a low arch, although in some species it is domed. The upper shell may have one or two ridges that run from front to the back of the animal (a projection commonly called a "keel"), or such a feature may be absent. A prominent bridge often connects the top shell to the bottom shell (plastron). Emydids have large bottom shells, and some members of the family have a movable hinge that separates pectoral and abdominal segments (scutes). The skull is small. The limbs of these turtles are adapted for swimming, with every member having some level of toe webbing. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry Get back to Anapsida | ||
Alabama map turtle | Black-knobbed map turtle | Blanding's turtle |
Cagle's map turtle | Common box turtle | Mississippi map turtle |
Northern map turtle | Ornate box turtle | Painted turtle |
Red-eared slider | Spotted turtle | Wood turtle |
Yellow-bellied slider | Yellow-blotched map turtle |