Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This hatchling was found fishing by a neighbor...it is a little bit bigger than a nickel...all black shell with yellow dots around the rim...all black head, pointed nose with a few yellow stripes...very cute and personable....please help I am in Massachusetts...Lyn

I dunno, it's hard to tell from that description. It might be a common musk (stinkpot), they are black with yellow stripes on their head and native to mass. It may be a spotted turtle, they are black with bright yellow dots all over and are native to mass. Snappers are also common to mass and black, and they do hae some coloration, but nothing bright. Try looking for pics online that look like your turtle. Also are you planning on keeping it? I'd release it back where you got it.