Northern Red-bellied Cooter
Pseudemys rubriventris
Natural Habitat
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with soft, muddy bottoms and ample basking logs.
Where I'm Found
Native to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. They are found primarily in the coastal plain rivers and ponds from Massachusetts south to North Carolina.
What I Eat
Omnivorous as juveniles, shifting to herbivorous as adults.
- Wild: Aquatic plants, algae, crayfish, and snails.
- Zoo: Aquatic turtle pellets, leafy greens, and fish.
How Long I Live
- Wild: 40 – 55 years
- Captivity: 40 – 60+ years
Fun Facts
- Basking: They are often seen stacked on top of one another on logs to soak up UV rays.
- Red Belly: Named for the reddish-orange tinge on their plastron (bottom shell).
- Brumation: In winter, they bury themselves in the mud at the bottom of ponds to survive the cold.
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