Monitoring program of Mexican turtles
Most of the species within natural protected areas in Mexico are unstudied and their conservation status is unknown. For freshwater and terrestrial turtles this is concerning because half of all species in the world are threatened and Mexico hosts the second highest diversity of turtles in the world. To address this need for information on Mexican turtle species, the team of Students Conserving Nature permanently monitors the populations of nine species.
A central goal for SCN is to make the data that the team collects on the species available and free for any one who visits our website. These data include age class, sex, morphological measurements, microhabitat, and macrohabitat of turtles that we find or trap. This excludes any specific locality data. If you are interested in having access to the data, please see "Download data" at bottom of page.
Last data update: 09/26/2020
Sinaloan thornscrub tortoise
(Gopherus evgoodei)
The Sinaloan thorscrub tortoise (Gopherus evgoodei) is the most recently described species of tortoise. These tortoises live among the low-lying hills and mountains of the desert and tropical dry forest of Sonora and Northern Sinaloa. They are often associated with rocky habitat where their is an abundance of rock shelters.
Endemic to Mexico. Vulnerable according to the IUCN (2018).
Total individuals observed: 57
Average male size: 221±23 mm (n=31)
Average female size: 236±16.9 mm (n=14)
Average subadult size: 114±29 mm(n=8)
Sierra box turtle
(Terrapene nelsoni)
This species has never been studied in the wild. They prefer pine-oak woodland habitat at higher elevations, but are also found in the tropical dry forest at lower elevations. They are terrestrial and associated with hill-slopes with complex understory vegetation. They have been eating dung beetles, mushrooms, and herbaceous vegetation.
Endemic to Mexico. Data Deficient according to the IUCN (last assessed 1996).
Total individuals observed: 54
Average male size: 132±9 mm (n=21)
Average female size: 134±8 mm (n=29)
Average subadult size: 84±11 mm (n=4)
Painted wood turtle
(Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima rogerbarbouri)
Very little is known about this species and our work represents the first intensive study of this species. Although this species is often associated with rocky streams in the tropical dry forest, they are often found atop or along hills. It appears that they are primarily herbivorous.
The species has not been evaluated by the IUCN.
Total individuals observed: 37
Average male size: 152±12 mm (n=14)
Average female size: 169±12 mm (n=16)
Average subadult size: 94±26 mm (n=7)
Mexican mud turtle
(Kinosternon integrum)
The Mexican mud turtle (Kinosternon integrum) is the most wide ranging species of mud turtle in Mexico. They are frequently found in large rivers, small streams, or small water bodies. They spend the majority of the year estivating and are carnivorous.
Endemic to Mexico. Not vulnerable according to the IUCN (last assesed in 2007).
Total individuals observed: 204
Average male size: 166±20 mm (n=50)
Average female size: 155±12 mm (n=56)
Average subadult size: 81±22 mm (n=83)
Alamos mud turtle
(Kinosternon alamosae)
The Alamos mud turtle is known to exist in temporary aquatic habitats such as season pools and cattle tanks. So far, this species has not been found in permanent waterbodies. It appears that this species is primarily carnivorous, while considerable plant material is also ingested.
Endemic to Mexico. Data Deficient according to de IUCN (last assesed 2007).
Total individuals observed: 34
Average male size: 119±9 mm (n=15)
Average female size: 119±16 mm (n=17)
Average subadult size: 57±2 mm (n=2)
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Rio Fuerte slider
(Trachemys nebulosa)
Endemic to Mexico. Not been assessed by the IUCN.
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Yucatan Box Turtle
(Terrapene carolina yucatana)
Endemic to Mexico. This subspecies has not been assessed by the IUCN.
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Furrowed Wood Turtle
(Rhinoclemmys areolata)
Near threatened according to the IUCN (last assessed 2007).
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Creaser’s Mud Turtle
(Kinosternon creaseri)
Endemic to Mexico. Not vulnerable according to the IUCN (last assessed 2007).
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