Cooter Turtles (Pseudemys)

Pseudemys is a genus of pond turtles also known as Cooter Turtles, especially in the state of Florida. (The word "cooter" may be used to refer to snapping turtles of the Chelydridae family elsewhere in the southeastern United States). Cooter stems from kuta, the word for turtle in the Bambara and Malinké languages, brought to America by African slaves. They are quite popular as turtle pets.

Pseudemys alabamensis - Alabama Redbelly Cooter

The Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, Pseudemys alabamensis, is native to Alabama. It belongs to the Emydidae turtle family. It is the official reptile of the state of Alabama.

Adult red-bellied turtles are approximately 1 foot (30 cm) in length. Its carapace (upper shell) may be greenish to dark brown or black, with yellowish, orangish, or reddish vertical markings along the sides. Its plastron (under shell) may be pale yellow to red, possibly with dark markings.

Turtle habitat & Behavior
The water turtles inhabit the fresh to brackish waters of the Mobile Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It is found nowhere else in the world. Nesting of the red-bellied turtle occurs from May through July. Female turtles lay their eggs on dry land, digging nests in sandy soil, where 4 to 9 eggs are deposited. Hatchlings usually emerge during the summer. However, when the aquatic turtles nest in late July, hatchlings may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring.

Pseudemys floridana - Florida river Cooter or

Pseudemys peninsularis - Peninsula Cooter

The Peninsula Cooter, also called Florida River Cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis) is a species of the genus Pseudemys. In scientific articles it is sometimes referred to as Pseudemys floridana.

Turtle habitat & Behavior
The species ranges from Virginia down through Florida and westward along the panhandle of the state. In the panhandle of Florida the turtle is recognized as a subspecies, the Florida Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis).

The water turtles are mainly herbivorous and inhabits slow-flowing streams and still bodies of water with soft bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetation. It reaches particularly high densities in spring runs. This species is active year-round and spends a large portion of the day basking on logs. It has been shown, in rare cases, for Pseudemys peninsularis to have a pink stripe along the side of its head.

The Peninsula cooter is closely related to the Florida Redbelly turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) and can often be found basking together on logs. The Peninsula cooter can be distinguished from the Florida redbelly by its distinctive yellow-tinged plastron (belly) and smooth upper beak. The Florida redbelly has a red-tinged plastron and two cusps on its upper beak.

Peninsula cooters are frequently exported for consumption and turtle pets, with about 60% wild caught individuals and 40% captive bred.

Pseudemys texana - Texas River Cooter

The Texas River Cooter (Pseudemys texana) is a species of aquatic turtles native to creeks, rivers, and lakes of the US state of Texas. They are found in the river basins of the Colorado, Brazos, Guadalupe, and San Antonio Rivers. It is one of two species of cooter native to the state, the other being the Eastern River Cooter.

The Texas River Cooter is a relatively large turtle, capable of growing to a shell length of 12+ inches (30.5 cm). They are green in color, with yellow and black markings that fade with age. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer tails, longer claws, and overall smaller size.

Turtle habitat & Behavior
The water turtles are diurnal and are avid baskers. They can often be seen on the edges of the water, or on floating logs or rocks sunning themselves, but are shy and will usually dive into the water if approached. They are excellent swimmers. Their diet progresses through their life, with young turtles being primarily carnivorous, eating various aquatic invertebrates and fish, but progressing to be more herbivorous as they age.

Taxonomy
The Texas Cooter was once reclassified to a subspecies of the Eastern Cooter, Pseudemys cocinna, but was again given full species status in 1991.

Similar species
The Red-eared Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) shares its range and habits, but can easily be distinguished from the Texas Cooter by red patches on either side of its head. Various species of map turtle can also look much like juvenile Texas Cooters.
  

Pseudemys nelsoni - Florida Redbelly Cooter

The Florida Redbelly Turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) is a species of the genus Pseudemys. Its range is in Florida, and southern Georgia.

Turtle habitat & Behavior
The Florida redbelly turtle is mainly herbivorous, and can be found in nearly any type of aquatic habitat. It reaches particularly high densities in spring runs, and occasionally can be found in brackish water. This species is active year-round and spends a large portion of the day basking on logs. They are noted for sometimes laying their eggs in the nest mounds of alligators.

 The Florida redbelly is closely related to the Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys floridana) and can often be found basking on logs together. The Florida redbelly can be distinguished from the other turtles by its distinctive red-tinged plastron (belly) and two cusps (like teeth) on its upper beak.

The water turtles are commonly exported for consumption and pet turtle, with about 50% wild caught individuals and 50% captive bred.

Check out my complete guide on Pet turtle care supplies.