TOP 5 STRANGEST TURTLES (You've Never Seen!)

Planet earth is graced with more than 330 turtle species across 5 continents! As reptile lovers, enthusiasts and even herpetologists, we're used to seeing species like box turtles, giant tortoises, sea turtles and pond turtles but did you know there are some turtles that are so bizarre they look otherworldly? In this video we visit some of the weirdest, some of the most peculiar and some of the most mind-boggling turtle species in the world. A few are so endangered that they may go extinct in our lifetime! This is our top 5 strangest turtle species.
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Who is Garden State Tortoise?
However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our KZbin channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Hey everyone! Want to see more of this amazing place and other turtles there? Check out this bonus video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4XbaXWCedugftE

[@HarlinyBonnyelmorrocoy]

Si claro

[@bonehead2426]

jokes on you i am a giant softshell nerd

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Yes! 🤘🏻

[@PlecsExotics3]

Same, but I would never get one because they are just huge.

[@GroundhogKim]

​@@PlecsExotics3 same here, plus their care is a little hard

[@LuC-k777]

Ah yes the angry ravioli

[@drandy.myanmaryoutubechannel]

I am a turtle lover from Myanmar (Burma). Myanmar has many endemic species of turtles compare to other countries in the world . Myanmar has the habit of eating this narrow headed softshell turtle and they are very rare nowadays . It's really nice to see them doing well in America 👍👍👍 Hope they will have many descendants in the future !

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching and for sharing that information with us! We really hope to see these breed in the future. 🙌

[@belizeguy]

So glad that you managed to not get bit! Incredible turtles. Thanks for showing them to us!!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

I know right!

[@sharondickinson3837]

Super impressive collection of turtles! Chris, you are braver than I could be, just putting your hands in their tanks! I think the Mata Mata's are very handsome.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Hahaha thanks Sharon, I was definitely nervous!

[@bonehead2426]

@@GardenStateTortoise i heard chitra pelochelys and rafetus swinhoei could be able to break bones, i wouldnt put my hand there for a million dollars

[@rondisanti8928]

what an assortment of rare specimens. nice

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Truly. Thank you!

[@DSheartlady]

wow they are amazing thank you for the posting😊

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Debra!

[@girlindesert]

I am in love with the one with the upturned nose!💕

[@CricketsMa]

Wow! Very unique! Thanks for sharing them with us.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

And thanks for watching!

[@tortoise_nerd3431]

The MataMata is my favorite turtle, ever!! Thanks for doing this video and showing us these amazing creatures!

[@loispadgett6306]

Some beautiful turtles and great job saving the rare ones. Enjoyed it hope to see more. GOD BLESS 🐢💖🐢💖🐢💖

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks again Lois!

[@katherinethegreat508]

So cool! They're all so awesome but definitely think that sweet little vegetarian girl with the Cindy Lou Ho nose is my favorite. Hope they're able to coordinate with the Singapore Zoo to get her a male!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

She was awesome! And yes I hope so too.

[@pumpkinchow]

Definitely going to donate to the cause I’ve always loved reptiles and I donate to USARK and would love to help and be a part of the turtle conservancy. I’ve had many different species of turtles over the years and sadly over the years have seen less and less in the wild and honestly believe that what you guys do is vital to the survival of many species. So keep up the great work and I’ll help as much as I can by donating but if there’s anything else I can do to help let me know. I’m only one state over in NY and would definitely come and lend a hand anytime. Well I hope you have a great day 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Ahhh thank you!! 🙏🏻🐢🌎

[@auntymar-marjustme]

That Mata Mata is SSSOOO COOL! Thankyou for this video.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching it!

[@pdmullgirl]

That was fun!! Thanks y’all!! Learn something new every day! ❤️💜💚

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Paige!

[@dororexgaming4205]

softshells are really cool, sadly not many people or even zoos work with the rarer species, the only exotic softshell species I recall seeing are a Nile Softshell(Trionyx triunguis) at Fort Worth Zoo and Indian Flapshell Turtle(Lissemys punctata) at San Antonio Zoo

[@sayurikitamura7109]

All these adorable faces 😍 thank you for sharing this amazing video!

[@aimeeprincessofpower]

Absolutely gorgeous animals

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Agreed, thanks for watching!

[@loriw2661]

Amazing!!!!!!! The soft shell turtles are REALLY soft. I mean, I knew they’d be soft but I figured the majority of the shell would be much harder for protection reasons. This is why I love this channel so much. If one loves to learn about turtles, this channel is the place to go. 🐢❤️🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Lori and yes they’re so weird and amazing!

[@natdizzle4259]

And did you see the markings on the back the whole spine and ripcage is out lined in markings on the back and that mouth was crazy looking

[@loriw2661]

@@natdizzle4259 Yes! So cool!

[@chanterelle483]

4:03 Look at that turtle bumping its head, lol 😅 I've seen photos of these weirdos before, but getting to see them on a video is yet another level, so thank you for that.

[@freyathedwarfcaiman.7790]

Great video with amazing turtles!

[@annezimmerman4262]

One of my favorite videos yet! SO cool!

[@GregsTurtleHaven]

Chitra are amazing! This might be the most hands on footage there has ever been of that species

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Crazy right?!

[@tamarrajames3590]

You always have unique and fascinating creatures to share with us. These are so unusual, and very different in their temperaments. Many thanks.🖤🇨🇦

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Tamarra!

[@jackthompson6375]

Awesome video! Maurice has some amazing stuff

[@Doreana48501]

Thankyou for the closeup guys..I'm bug eyed from looking 😂

[@raia5149]

This is so neat! They are all kinda cute in their own way! I never knew there was a such thing as soft shell turtles. 🐢 I learned something today!

[@marthawelch4289]

They are all beautiful/handsome!! Thank you to all of the kind, caring people who are helping to rebuild the population of these turtles. That takes a lot of work and a lot of money.

[@aureaphilos]

When my daughter and I took the conservation tour at Sea World Orlando, we saw them lifting an adult Leatherback Turtle with a crane and sling, so they could check it's weight! They also were rehabbing a number of other sea turtles that had been injured by shark or boat encounters. Very cool.

[@katharper655]

Weird! Gorgeous! Awesome! Loooooove these weird, wild and wondrous TURTLES!

[@angelicaalderman6012]

Thanks for sharing!

[@doomedtroll]

Fascinating! Great video

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you!

[@danriley5848]

Awesome video with some amazing species of turtles and he does a great job taking care of them.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Dan and yes he really does!

[@mell.2144]

So cool!!! 😎 Especially those soft shells!!!

[@chrisester2910]

My mother used to have water hyacinth in her garden ponds. They grew so fast in the summer that we would have to pull a bunch out every day and compost them. This was a pond full of former feeder goldfish bought from a fish store. About 75% of these fish survived longer than a week and they proceeded to acclimate and became a breeding population.

[@BooneeXCdad]

Awesome. Incredible aboveground tanks. How does he manage the water temps outdoors...or does he have a bigger indoor facility to house all those tropical species?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

He has a bigger indoor facility and he’s also putting up a greenhouse so there won’t be issues.

[@deborahburnette1218]

Awesome video ❤

[@darkmessiah1883]

Simply beautiful mate

[@diane7546]

Wow, that mata mata was strange. Where are the eyes and mouth. They look ancient. All of them are unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with the world.

[@YochevedDesigns]

I love that first one. She is one SASSY lady! 😁

[@GardenStateTortoise]

She was awesome!

[@nyh1779]

Great work pal.

[@timholt9948]

Be ashamed if any of these fascinating animals went extinct.

[@WillieWeed]

I've seen many softshell turtles snorkeling in the rivers through GA and Fla. They are my favorite. They love a sandbar in a river bend. But 300 lb Softshell? Incredible!

[@missmodern]

Love how the second turtle looks like she's smiling!!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

The Burmese Roofed Turtle has the cutest face I’ve seen on any turtle! I hope she’ll be a Mommy turtle soon. Given there’s overgrowth of water hyacinths she could a use of grazer so long as intruding this species did it impact native plant and animal species. I’m in love!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Please someone made a plushie and make this old lady happy!

[@melissaerickson2607]

Lol look at his tiny head he’s so adorable!!

[@user-ty5di3ku6o]

Softshells: I choose violence. Always.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Hahahaha so so true

[@joaomortay2707]

Awesome 👌

[@tonyaavalos2227]

Such beautiful animals

[@GardenStateTortoise]

They really are!

[@raebsen]

Shout out to that gorgeous dog who made an appearance. Turtle varied Guard dog lol

[@emilydowey1431]

Just stunning, I love soft shells. I have 2, they are just amazing creatures!

[@jamesmccormick875]

I am subscribed yet your videos don’t come up on my list. Otis brought me here and I’ve been loving this channel ever since.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Hey James thanks for subscribing! Did you click to bell icon next to our subscribe button at the top of our page so you get notified when we post? KZbin is weird about recommending videos even when someone is subscribed to a channel.

[@CelticDruidess1]

Those are so awesomely prehistoric!

[@crimson-moonproductions974]

Soft shell turtles are one of my favorite species of turtles.

[@michaelloucks4448]

To whom it may concern I just saw the video of your turtle who passed away I'm so sorry for your loss I know you loved him I just had my cat pass away and it' sucks . God bless you and your families your pal fisherman Mike from Missouri.

[@wilhelmtan5301]

glad there r spotlight for these unusual turtles as many of these r rare and at least there is awareness for their protection in the future

[@GardenStateTortoise]

💯 thanks for watching!

[@bryonflaherty5957]

Those Burmese narrow headed soft shells are wild looking

[@GardenStateTortoise]

They really are.

[@katiedid1851]

Wow. All different, strange and really gorgeous. Going to donate. Prefer to watch you socialize your flora/fauna- Learned they can enjoy touches/petting... never thought turtles/tortoises feel pleasure ( so apparent they feel pain, frustration.

[@mrjmorovis]

A truth is "I'm gonna bite you!" is turtles love language.

[@alicecain4851]

Chris, you're going to need to eat your Wheaties if you're going to try to pick those soft shells up! Amazing!

[@Soldier-Cat]

Man I love soft shell turtles they look so goofy and it’s cool you can see their spines on some species of them plus it’s really interesting those ones can hide their heads with their plastron :0 so cool

[@katiedid1851]

Wow. So strange and beautiful.

[@janesoulharding8128]

I also love the laughs behind the camera xxxx

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Hahaha it was such a fun day!

[@ForrestGalante]

Well…. That was awesome

[@GardenStateTortoise]

You gotta come see these, man.

[@benitofernandez7121]

Esta padrisimo tu video

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Wonderful, wonderful video…I learned so much. The endangered aspect is awful, but I still smiled all the way through this.

[@almostlivechannelkjlw-42pr4]

Beautiful!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks!

[@kimcrawford5247]

Crazy turtles! The first soft shell was amazing. They’re like bucking bronco’s when in water. You were almost no match for them! 😂😅❤

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Love your turtles. Kamp Kenan has Badingers.

[@wendyyates6046]

Beautiful huge 🐢Turtles!! What do you feed them?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

He feeds them mostly live fish. 👍🏻

[@zupergurkan]

The dog at 4:19 be like *how do you smell? What if I kiss you? Ooh funky :/*

[@RossJ316JC]

😮😯😲😀 incredible👍👍

[@GardenStateTortoise]

🙌

[@turtletitangaming8620]

If the Mata Mata Turtles didn't make the list I was gonna be very disappointed

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Haha never.

[@kyrab7914]

I have wondered if soft shells are what turtles looked like before they fully evolved their shell. Still so wild to me that their skin and bone came together like that to grow a shell

[@user-xg5vv5bm8q]

Unbelievable first time seen something like that

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-xg5vv5bm8q]

@@GardenStateTortoise thanks for sharing knowledge

[@WillaHerrera]

Magnificent

[@grayskindablue]

I got to hold both of those last turtles as a kid in Peru, I had no idea they were this rare (and I just remembered because of this video) or I’d be bragging about it more often lol

[@tylergoldstein]

They have some chitra indica at the San Diego zoo that are enormous.

[@janesoulharding8128]

What an amazing dog. I was bit concerned then ha ba hha but awes9m3 xxxx

[@GardenStateTortoise]

He is MASSIVE!

[@ShadySheev]

First one is like me: A grower, not a shower!

[@potvalar6564]

Amazing world of gumball turtle go brrrrr

[@marie22213]

They have one at a zoo in NYC. I remember when I first saw it I was thinking what the hell happened to him 😂 I'd never seen a soft turtle before. Thanks 4 this video and explaining

[@kihntagious]

I found a huge softshell in Florida crossing a hiway . Fortunately it was Sunday so little traffic. I picked it up about 40 or 50 pounds and carried it way down the road to an overgrown swampish area that wold have been where it was headed. It was spring so maybe looking for the ladies. When I put him down as close to the pond I could get he immediately plowed his big body through the grass to get to the water. They drive over them like they were a newspaper in Florida. No picture but I did get a pic of an alligator snapping turtle going through my yard heading for a pond a ways away. He was about 40 lbs. BEcause a road and parking lot was in the way I carried him and he tried to bite me. !

[@budoneof15]

I agree with the remark that the Mata Mata is the strangest turtle. I was trying to figure out where the eyes were.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

They’re just so over the top 🐢❤️

[@IvanNava]

I also think the long neck turtles are pretty strange, they look like snakes with shells lol

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Oh for sure

[@yungkang1874]

I seen a flap shell type soft shell at a show once amazing animals

[@GardenStateTortoise]

The flap shells are so cool!

[@seanhenderson6285]

Peltocephalus are awesome!

[@z.b.kingfisher3340]

Omy Kurma!!!! Namah excellence and wonderment!!!!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Yes! 🙌

[@PondPuppies]

Can't wait for my Pallid Spiny Softshells to get this big!!! 🤘🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@lux.s.cannabis]

Damm what I would do to save the giant soft shell turtle species ! Honestly would love to have some on a large indooor pond

[@Doreana48501]

I think ordinary turtles look strange anyway but those ? Straight out of the days when fish ruled. I wonder what a turtle bite feels like?

[@IvanNava]

Getting the feeling that my turtle will outlive me lol

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Very possible!

[@PK-oy4fe]

I recently moved to WV...would love to see some native turtles but haven't yet!😇❤️🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Good luck! Some beautiful ones out there for sure.

[@jaykennedy2256]

that so cool

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks!

[@jaykennedy2256]

Anytime

[@jptoitle2122]

I am certain I saw those Burmese softshells at the St Louis zoo. That strange triangular head. The stripes. They spend most of their time buried in the sand in the enclosure in the middle of the reptile house. When the come up, out of the sand, you can see them in all their glory. They’re huge!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Yep! That’s why I was having a hard time getting them out 🤣

[@jptoitle2122]

@@GardenStateTortoise Thanks for showing us those amazing turtles! Turtles are happiness!

[@Shaun_Badmam]

It was 7:02 am when this was posted for me

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Wow

[@lesleysmith51]

I want the smiley one

[@GardenStateTortoise]

☺️

[@torquess454]

Wow,

[@GardenStateTortoise]

👍🏻

[@thomaspascale6893]

Super strange

[@irmaguzman7217]

🐢🐢🦎🐸