#florida redbelly cooter

[kqrmen1]

teetles :)

top left is the florida redbelly, aka the Pseudemys nelsoni, and are a mainly herbivorous species native to Florida and parts of Georgia in the united states!

top right is the diamondback terrapin, aka the Malaclemys terrapin, which are omnivores which eat largely fish, crustaceans and marsh grasses. they have a native range from the Florida keys all the way to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has one of the largest ranges of any North American turtle. theres also a subspecies found in Bermuda which was not introduced there by humans! they’re a vulnerable species on the endangered species list due to overhunting in the early 20th century and accidental capture in crab traps.

bottom left is the peninsula cooter, aka the Pseudemys peninsularis, are a freshwater species native to florida. they’re closely related to florida redbellies, but are distinguished by the lack of red plastron! theyre also omnivores!

and finally, bottom right is the wood turtle, aka the Glyptemys insculpta. they live in Nova Scotia in the north and extend westwards to Minnesota and southward to Virginia, although skeletal remains have been found as far south as Georgia! they are omnivorous and have similar shells to diamondback terrapins. unfortunately they are endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal capturing for the pet trade.

just some fun guys for yall because i love turtles and theyre my latest hyperfixation animal (from elephants to foxes to llamas to raccoons and now to turtles. i blame TMNT)

[herpsandbirds]

Florida Redbelly Turtle aka Florida Red-bellied Cooter  (Pseudemys nelsoni), family Emydidae, Florida, USA

photograph by Andrew Zimmerman