Cooters | Herps of Texas

Pseudemys concinna

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudemys concinna

Common Name. River Cooter

General information. The River Cooter is a diurnal turtle, basking during the day whenever it is not feeding on aquatic vegetation. Cooters are also well known as scavengers, feeding on opportunistically found carrion. Primarily herbivorous, some cooters also feed on insects and mollusks. This is a shy species of turtle, leaving the water rarely (only to bask and nest).

Protected status. The River Cooter is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Narrow, flattened carapace slightly serrated posteriorly; shell often indented at the bridge Unhinged plastron. Shallow medial notch on upper jaw not bordered by tooth-like cusps. Webbed feet. Males with longer fingernails on forelimbs than females.

Coloration. Carapace olive; older turtles can be melanistic, obscuring any pattern on the carapace Backward facing, light-colored “C” found along dorsal rear margin of 2nd costal scute may be present; many light-colored concentric whorls in 2nd costal scute. Many dark markings on marginals Plastron orange or yellow with pigment along seams, with “X” pattern often present anteriorly. Skin olive or brown with wide yellow stripes on underside of neck Central chin stripe extends and forks posteriorly (to Y-shape).

General distribution. In North America, Pseudemys concinna is found cross much of the southeastern United States, from Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska eastward to the Carolinas and the Atlantic Coast.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Pseudemys concinna found in Texas, P. c. metteri is present across the northeastern corner of the state as well as isolated populations in the Panhandle.

Habitat. The River Cooter is at home in rocky-bottomed rivers and streams, but can also be found in slow moving oxbows as well as swamps and lakes. Occasionally, this species is found in brackish water near the coast.

Reproduction. Mating occurs in the spring with nesting taking place between May and July. An average of 19-20 eggs are laid in each nest; some females lay two clutches per year. Incubation is between 80-100 days (longer with cooler soil temperatures).

Size. Adult Pseudemys concinna range from 23-33 cm (9-13 in) in total length. Large females can reach lengths over 43 cm (17 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Pseudemys gorzugi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudemys gorzugi

Common Name. Rio Grande Cooter

General information. Not much is known about the diet of this species, but preliminary results indicate that it may be primarily a vegetarian.

Protected status. The Rio Grande Cooter is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Carapace is oval and elongated, flattened, with a slight keel (highest in middle); posterior edge of carapace serrated Unhinged plastron. Lacking medial notch on upper jaw and tooth-like cusps. Webbed feet. Males with longer fingernails on forelimbs than females.

Coloration. Carapace olive with blotches of alternating yellow and black. 2nd costal scute with four distinct blotches (bulls-eyes)with concentric black and yellow rings. Plastron yellow with pigment along seams, fading with age; plastron pigment present along anterior seams in adults. Skin brown or olive; yellow stripes present on neck, legs, and tail. Oval postorbital blotch (yellow) with temporal stripe curving dorsally over blotch. Wide yellow stripe down middle of head and neck. Central chin stripe extends and forks posteriorly (to Y-shape).

General distribution. In North America, Pseudemys gorzugi is found along the Rio Grande and Pecos River drainages in Texas and southern New Mexico. Isolated populations have been found in several northern states in Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas).

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pseudemys gorzugi is present along the Rio Grande drainage, from Val Verde County (Del Rio) to Cameron (Brownsville), as well as upper reaches of the Pecos River drainage in Culberson, Reeves, and Loving counties and the Devils River in northern Val Verde County.

Habitat. The Rio Grande Cooter is found in clear pools in New Mexico, but can be found in clear to muddy streams in Texas.

Reproduction. Little is known about reproduction in this species; reproduction may be similar to the other two Pseudemys found in the state.

Size. Pseudemys gorzugi reach carapace lengths of 24 cm (9.5 in) as adults (females larger than males)

Pseudemys nelsoni

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudemys nelsoni

Common Name. Florida Red-bellied Cooter

General information. This turtle species is often seen basking. As adults, Florida Red-bellied Cooters are herbivorus but as juveniles and hatchlings, they eat aquatic invertebrates and vegetation.

Protected status. The Florida Red-bellied Cooter is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Carapace is high-domed. Unhinged plastron. Upper jaw is notched with broad cusps on either side of notch. Males with longer fingernails on forelimbs than females.

Coloration. Carapace brown with reddish vertical line on each costal. Plastron is yellow or red, with highlights of orange or red; plastron unpigmented. Skin is black; neck marked with thin yellow stripes.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudemys nelsoni is native to Florida and southeastern Georgia.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pseudemys nelsoni is an introduced species found in several isolated populations around the state.

Habitat. The Florida Red-bellied Turtle prefers marshes, lakes, and ponds with aquatic vegetation.

Reproduction. Mating takes place between October and March, nesting occurs June through August. Clutch sizes range from 6–31 eggs

Size. Adult Pseudemys nelsoni reach carapace lengths of between 20–37 cm (8–14.5 in).

Pseudemys texana

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudemys texana

Common Name. Texas Cooter

General information. This turtle species is strictly diurnal, spending much of the daylight hours basking on logs and rocks. Food items include a wide variety of invertebrates, including crayfish, snails, and both terrestrial and aquatic insects.

Protected status. The Texas Cooter is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Carapace is oval, flattened, with serrated posterior edge Unhinged plastron. Medial notch on upper jaw with adjacent tooth-like cusps. Webbed feet. Males with longer fingernails on forelimbs than females

Coloration. Carapace olive with blotches of alternating yellow and black. 2nd costal scute with five or six distinct concentric whorls with dark centers. Plastron yellow with pigment along seams, fading with age; plastron pigment present along anterior seams in adults. Skin black with white or yellow stripes present on neck, legs, and tail. Head markings variable, combination of yellow stripes broken into smaller spots and dashes. Postorbital stripe and vertical bar behind jaw articulation often present; lateral head stripes curve above vertical bar. Older individuals (especially males and large females) with mottled shells, limbs, and head and obscured patterns.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudemys texana is found exclusively in Texas, from central Texas to the Gulf Coast.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the endemic Pseudemys texana is found in the Colorado, Brazos, Guadalupe, and San Antonio River drainages.

Habitat. The Texas Cooter is found in streams as well as lakes and other man-made impoundments.

Reproduction. Nesting in May and June. Females lay clutches of 4-19 eggs.

Size. Adult Pseudemys texana reach carapace lengths between 18-25 cm (7-10 in).