The Emydidae family is a group of turtles that includes many of the freshwater turtles you might see in ponds, rivers, and lakes. There are 50 species in this family, and except for two species, they are all found in the Western Hemisphere.

These turtles usually have hard, smooth shells and are good swimmers. Some well-known members of this family are painted turtles, map turtles, and slider turtles.

Emydid turtles are mostly aquatic or semi-aquatic, which means they spend a lot of time in the water but can also be seen basking in the sun on rocks or logs. They are cold-blooded, so they rely on the sun to warm up. Many eat a mix of plants, insects, and small animals, making them omnivores.