Alternate name: Florida Cooter

Family: Emydidae, Pond and Box Turtles view all from this family

Description Brown carapace with yellowish circular marks. 2nd costal scute has c shaped figure. Marginal scutes have round mark. Yellow plastron. Long claws on feet of males.

Dimensions 14.6-41.6cm. (5 3/4-16 3/8")

Subspecies Eastern River Cooter- as above. Florida to se. Georgia.
Florida River Cooter - stripes on head. Virginia to Florida Atlantic coastal plain. Also Alabama.

Breeding May-July. Eggs 38mm (1 1/2") long, pinkish white. Up to 19 in a clutch. Hatch in August/September. Sometimes overwinter in nest.

Habitat Rivers, streams, lakes with moderate currents.

Range Virginia to Florida coastal plain.

Discussion Aquatic. Basks with other turtle species. If disturbed retreats into water quickly. Thought to be a delicacy in the South. Lives up to 40 years in captivity.