The species of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) varies depending on the incarnation:

• In the original comics and many adaptations, the turtles are typically depicted as red-eared sliders , which is the most common pet turtle species in America

• In the 2018 TV series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , each turtle is a different species:
  • Raphael is a snapping turtle,
  • Leonardo is a red-eared slider,
  • Michelangelo is a box turtle,
  • Donatello is a soft shell turtle

• In the 2012 TMNT series, there are theories that they could be diamondback terrapins, common box turtles, or red-eared sliders, but the red-eared slider is the most consistent species across many versions. Some fans suggest they might be a hybrid of desert and three-toed box turtles based on shell and skin color comparisons, but this is speculative and not officially confirmed

Overall, the most widely accepted species for the Ninja Turtles is the red- eared slider turtle , especially in the classic and original versions, while newer versions like Rise of TMNT diversify their species representation