The term 'small freshwater turtle' can be summarized as a TERRAPIN, which is an 8-letter word. Terrapins are a type of small turtle that live in fresh water habitats, such as ponds, lakes, and rivers. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals, and have a hard shell to protect them from predators. Terrapins are found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia.