river cooter

River Cooter

Pseudemys concinna

CLASS Reptilia | ORDER Chelonia | FAMILY Emydidae

RANGE Eastern and southeastern United States

HABITAT Rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes

DIET Aquatic plants

Size
9 - 12 in
Clutch
7 - 18 eggs

IUCN Status
Least Concern
river cooter

The river cooter is a large, freshwater turtle. It has a light, backward-facing C-shaped mark on the second scute on each side of the carapace that can be used to distinguish it from the Florida cooter.

They bask on exposed logs and rocks, and quickly enter the water when approached.

river cooter

Females lay eggs in early summer. Clutch sizes range between 7 and 18 eggs.