Description: The Florida redbelly can be distinguished from other similar turtles by its distinctive red-tinged plastron (belly) and two cusps (like teeth) on its upper beak. Like most Pseudemys turtles, this species is a fairly large river turtle. Carapace length in mature turtles can range from 8.0 to 14.8 inches. Females, which average 12.0 inches in carapace length and weigh 8.8 lbs., are noticeably larger than males, which are around 9.8 inches and 4.0 lbs. in mass.

Habitat: Florida red-bellied turtles inhabit freshwater areas and brackish waters. In the southeastern parts of Florida, they inhabit lakes, ponds, and rivers with high densities of aquatic plants. They avoid lakes with sandy substrates. They leave the water to bask in the heat of the day. Their nests are typically found away from the water and at times in American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests. They inhabit humid areas with temperatures that drop to 65℉ in the winter and rise to 89.6℉ in the summertime.

Range: P. nelsoni is endemic to Florida, and southern Georgia. Fossils of P. nelsoni have also been found along the coast of South Carolina from the Pleistocene Epoch, indicating that the historic range of this species used to extend further north. Today, its northern counterpart, the Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Psuedemys rubriventris) occupies this region.

Found in these States: CA | FL | GA | TX

Diet: It feeds on a variety of aquatic plants including waterweed (Vallisneria and Elodea), duckweed (Lemna and Wolffia), and arrowhead (Sagittaria) species.

Reproduction: Florida red-bellied turtles are polygynandrous, having multiple mates. Courtship is typically precocious and begins before they reach sexual maturity. Mating begins with the males approaching the females. The males will swim above the females and draws near to her head. Smaller males use their claws to vibrate them near females' heads, while larger males are more aggressive, grabbing and dragging females by their heads. Males may complete for females by opening their mouths at one another and biting one another. The females brings her head out to respond to the males actions. The males will draw his claws out and his tail elongate while approaching the females. Reproduction lasts about four minutes.

Florida red-bellied cooters reach sexual maturity when they reach their full size about six to eight years in females and three years in males. Their breeding season is primarily from April to July when the water temperature is warmer. Their gestation period lasts 45 to 60 days on average (maximum of 80 days with temperatures below 77℉) from mating to time of egg laying. Florida red-bellied cooters are oviparous and lay eggs on land away from the water's edge. Yearly, females produce 3 to 6 clutches with 7 to 26 eggs.

Status: Florida red-bellied turtles are a species of "Least Concern" according to the IUCN Red list. All other references, such as the US federal list, CITES, and the Michigan list do not specify the conservation status of the species. Florida red-bellied turtles' threats include being take into the pet trade and being consumed by humans. Florida has banned the harvest of these turtles form the wild (including eggs), and adults can only be collected via a species state permit. Many waterways (lakes and wetlands) they inhabit are now protected. It's been suggested that conservation efforts efforts focus on obtaining baseline data for these species. Limiting turtles' access to areas with increased risk, such as high traffic roads and waterways, is another effort that is being put into place.

Subspecies: None

Taxonomy: