The Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) is a native freshwater turtle of Georgia. It is neither a land tortoise nor an introduced red-eared slider. In the modern Georgian checklist, the species is biologically confirmed and linked to southeastern Georgia. When identifying a turtle, pay attention to the aquatic setting, shell shape, neck stripes, and the absence of a broad red stripe behind the eye. The individual pictured at Lisi Lake is a specific record and does not show the species’ full range. The map below shows field records in Tbilisi, Kvemo Kartli, and Kakheti; highlighting a region does not imply occurrence throughout it.
Identification
How to identify Caspian Turtle
The Caspian turtle is a water turtle. Compared with the land tortoise, its shell is flatter, while a high, strongly domed shell points more toward the land tortoise (Testudo graeca).
Often confused with
It often has lengthwise pale stripes on the neck. Colour alone is not enough for identification.
It lacks a broad red stripe behind the eye. That stripe is especially characteristic of the introduced red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).
Webbed feet and a relatively flat shell are typical signs of a water turtle.
The modern Georgian checklist links the Caspian turtle to southeastern Georgia. Lisi Lake is where the pictured individual was recorded, not the species’ full range.
It can resemble the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). The pond turtle often has a dark shell with yellow speckling. When identifying a Caspian turtle, also consider the lengthwise neck stripes and the place where it was found.
Gallery
Caspian Turtle in photos
Distribution
Where Caspian turtles are recorded in Georgia
147 field records2013–20263 regions
Interactive map is loading.
- Field observation
- Several records in one spot
- Photo record
- Confirmed distribution region
| regions | field records | |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution confirmed | ||
| Confirmed distribution region | 94 | |
| Confirmed distribution region | 26 | |
| Confirmed distribution region | 26 | |
The Caspian turtle map shows public iNaturalist observations in Georgia. Only regions marked confirmed in the records table are shaded as distribution. Some public coordinates are obscured or approximate, and locality text can disagree with a point's region. A shaded region does not mean the turtle occupies all of it; record counts reflect observation effort, not population density.
Data: Reptiles.ge + iNaturalist · Methodology
Biology
Diet, behavior, and conservation
Diet
The Caspian turtle eats both plant and animal food; its diet can include aquatic plants, insects, and young fish. Juveniles generally eat more animal food than adults.
Behavior
The Caspian turtle is a freshwater species and may often be seen in water or near the bank. In warmer parts of Georgia, it is sometimes active even in February; this does not mean it remains active throughout winter across the country. Picking it up does not improve identification and causes the animal unnecessary stress.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Caspian Turtle.
Yes. The Caspian turtle is native to Georgia and biologically confirmed there. The modern Georgian checklist links it to southeastern Georgia.
The modern checklist links the Caspian turtle to southeastern Georgia and shows a specific individual from Lisi Lake. Map records cluster in Tbilisi, Kvemo Kartli, and Kakheti; they do not establish occurrence across every part of those regions.
Look for water-turtle traits: a relatively flat shell, webbed feet, lengthwise pale stripes on the neck, and no broad red stripe behind the eye.
No. The Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) is a freshwater turtle. Georgia’s land tortoise, Testudo graeca, has a higher, more domed shell.
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) is introduced in Georgia. Its well-known form, T. s. elegans, has a broad red stripe behind the eye. The Caspian turtle is native and lacks that red stripe.
The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) occurs in western and eastern Georgia and often has a dark shell with yellow speckling. The Caspian turtle is linked by the sources on this profile to southeastern Georgia and often has lengthwise pale neck stripes.
No. The Caspian turtle is not venomous, but it may bite if caught. A bite can become infected, so do not pick it up.
Plants and animals; its diet can include aquatic plants, insects, and young fish. Juveniles eat more animal food than adults; this is a general trait of the species, not the result of a separate study in Georgia.
References
Sources
References
Sources
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Vamberger et al. 2024 — Mauremys caspica species account, Chelonian Research Monographs
- The Reptile Database
- CDC — Reptiles and Amphibians, bite and scratch guidance
- iNaturalist — Mauremys caspica public observations in Georgia
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
Related guides
