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Turtles
 

Many turtle species are endangered today. Turtles are cold-blooded and have a shell which protects their bodies. At the Philadelphia Zoo, turtles can be seen at the Reptile and Amphibian House, Children's Zoo, Tortoise Trail, and the Reptile Exercise Yard.

Aldabra tortoise
Aldabra tortoise
The Aldabra tortoise is second only to the Galapagos tortoise in size and weight. This species was near extinction at the turn of the 20th century but conservation efforts have helped the population to increase, although they still remain vulnerable.
 
Alligator snapping turtle
Alligator snapping turtle
Alligator snapping turtles are also referred to as alligator snappers or loggerheads. These turtles have large heads and powerful jaws. Their shells have three distinct ridges that run from front to back.
 
Central American river turtle
Central American river turtle
This large, almost fully aquatic turtle can be found hiding under logs and aquatic vegetation in the water.
 
Galapagos tortoise
Galapagos tortoise
Galapagos tortoises are the largest living tortoises, and they can live to be over 100 years.
 
Northern diamondback terrapin
Northern diamondback terrapin
Northern diamondback terrapins are a local species whose population is declining. All of our animals were rescued from the wild after injuries and can’t be released. Terrapins are a unique type of turtle that prefers to live in brackish, or part salt and part fresh, water.
 
Pig-nosed turtle
Pig-nosed turtle
This very unusual looking turtle is the lone representative of the family of turtles known as Carettochelyidae. The name "pig-nosed" comes from the fact that its nostrils form a fleshy protruding snout like that of a pig.