Description: Upon hatching, river cooter turtles range from 1 and 1.5 inches in length, and weigh from 0.2 to 0.5 ounces. When newly hatched, these turtles are a bright green color with light markings. As they mature, their makings tend to darken. At maturity, shell lengths as long as 17 inches have been observed, and turtles can with weigh up to approximately 11 lbs.

Overall, the shells of adult turtles are relatively flattened, elongated, and oval-shaped with light and dark brown markings. Each shell is distinctively different, but most include green, yellow, brown, and black patterns. Sexual dimorphism can be seen in these turtles, with adult females being larger on average (average carapace length of 11.3 inches) than adult males (average carapace length 8.75 inches). Additionally, the shells of male river cooters are flatter than that of females. Males also possess elongated fore claws as compared to females.

Another factor that has influenced the physical characteristics of river cooter turtles is the strength of different water currents. The shells of these turtles form higher or lower drag morphologies relative to the strength of the current in their specific habitat. Those that adapt to form flatter shells in order to prevent dislodging of the shell from the body often have weaker shells than those that have the typical dome-shaped shell.

Habitat: River cooter turtles are primarily found in permanent bodies of freshwater such as rivers and lakes. On rare occasions, these turtles also can be found in ponds, springs, swamps, and even saltwater tributaries. The habitats of these turtles are laden with various types of aquatic plants and marine flora. Though shallow in nature (0 to 6 feet), these habitats often are moderately inaccessible to humans in order to protect the turtles from anthropogenic disturbances and predation attempts. River cooter turtles also spend part of their lives on land. Activities such as basking and nesting typically take place in terrestrial environments within 100 feet of the waters in which these turtles spend the majority of their time.

Range: River cooter turtles, Pseudemys concinna, are native to North America. They are most commonly found in eastern and central parts of the United States. They are found as far north as northern Ohio and extend as far south as northern Florida in the Florida Panhandle. The distribution of these turtles is from eastern Virginia, westward to eastern Texas. Disjunct populations of river cooters can be found in the New River in Virginia and West Virginia, and the Tennessee River in Tennessee and eastern Kentucky.

Found in these States: AL | AR | AZ | CA | FL | GA | IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MD | MO | MS | NC | NJ | OK | PA | SC | TN | TX | VA | WA | WV

Diet: The species P. concinna is highly omnivorous and will eat anything, plant or animal, dead or alive. Diet seems to be determined by available food items. While some writers feel that this species of turtle will not eat meat, predatory behavior has been observed. Although it can't swallow out of water, it will leave the water to retrieve a tasty bug or worm, returning to the water to swallow. It will also enthusiastically chase, kill and eat small fish. It has also been observed eating carrion found along the river's edge. The river cooter has tooth-like cusps in the upper jaw, probably an adaptation to aid in eating leaves and fibrous vegetation. Its primary diet includes a wide variety of aquatic plants, and some terrestrial plants that grow near the water's edge. It will happily take fallen fruits as well. In captivity, any kind of plant will be eaten, and some "meats", too. Turtles will also take calcium in a separate form, such as a cuttlebone, so that the turtle can self-regulate calcium intake.

Reproduction: The mating habits of the river cooter are very similar to those of the red-eared slider. As with the other basking turtles, the males tend to be smaller than females. The male uses his long claws to flutter at the face of the much larger female. Often, the female ignores him. After detecting what may be a pheromone signal while sniffing at a female's tail, a male river cooter will court a female by swimming above her, vibrating his long nails and stroking her face. Females have also been observed doing this to initiate courtship. If the female is receptive, she will sink to the bottom of the river and allow the male to mount for mating. If she does mate, after several weeks the female crawls upon land to seek a nesting site. Females often cross highways looking for suitable nesting spots. Females will lay between 12 and 20 eggs at a time, close to water. The eggs hatch within 45 to 56 days and the hatchlings will usually stay with the nest through their first winter.

Mating takes place in early spring. Nesting usually occurs from May to June. The female chooses a site with sandy or loamy soil, within 100 ft (30 m) of the river's edge. She looks for a rather open area, with no major obstacles for the future hatchings to negotiate on their way to the river. The nest is dug with the hind feet. She lays 10–25 or more eggs in one or more clutches. Eggs are ellipsoidal, approximately 1.5 inches long. Incubation time is determined by temperature, but averages 90–100 days. Hatchlings generally emerge in August or September. There have been reported instances of late clutches over-wintering and hatching in the spring. A hatchling will have a round carapace, about 1.5 inches diameter, that is green with bright yellow markings.

Status: The river cooter is faced with loss of habitat, predation by animals, slaughter on the highways, and use as a food source by some people. Hatchlings are particularly vulnerable. During their overland scramble to the river, many hatchlings will be taken by avian and mammal predators. Alligators and muskrats await them in the water. Some will be taken and sold to pet stores. Populations are down in some areas, and there have been increasing reports of injured turtles, but this species as a whole is hardy, and continues to thrive. P. concinna can live 40 years or more.

Subspecies: Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna) & Suwannee Cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis)

Taxonomy: