Pseudemys nelsoni

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).

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.