# Florida Red-bellied Cooter (*Pseudemys nelsoni*) The Florida Red-bellied Cooter is a friendly turtle with a bright red belly! They love to swim in warm waters and bask in the sun on logs. These turtles are great at hiding in their shells when they feel scared. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Florida Red-bellied Cooter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Florida_Redbelly_Turtle.jpg&width=800) Photo: JamieS93, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florida_Redbelly_Turtle.jpg) ## Appearance The Florida Red-bellied Cooter has a dark, oval-shaped upper shell, often greenish-brown or black, with light markings near the scutes. Its most distinctive feature is its striking red or orange-red belly (plastron), which contrasts sharply with its dark skin and head adorned with yellow stripes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Pseudemys ## Interesting facts - Baby cooter's sex is decided by the nest's temperature, not by genes! - Sometimes, Florida Red-bellied Cooters stack up on logs to get the best sun! - Their tough shell is part of their backbone, protecting them like a bony suit! - They help keep waterways clean by nibbling on algae and aquatic plants! ## Special abilities - **Shell Fortress:** Florida Red-bellied Cooter has a hard, bony shell that helps them protect against many predators and environmental threats. - **Sun Power:** Florida Red-bellied Cooter can absorb warmth from the sun by basking, because it helps them regulate their body temperature. - **Aquatic Glide:** Florida Red-bellied Cooter can glide through water efficiently with webbed feet, helping them find food and escape danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-37 cm - **Weight:** 1-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-40 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-25 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding Mostly plants and algae, with some insects and fish for extra protein. - **Age differences:** Young cooters eat more insects and protein, shifting to a mostly plant-based diet as adults. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic plants, algae, fruits, insects, small fish, tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Predates on eggs and young cooters in aquatic habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raids nests to consume cooter eggs and hatchlings. - **Eats:** [Hydrilla](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hydrilla) (*Hydrilla verticillata*) — Grazes on abundant aquatic vegetation like hydrilla. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch turtles from a distance and never try to touch or pick them up. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Florida Red-bellied Cooter? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Florida Red-bellied Cooter? 25-37 cm ### How much does Florida Red-bellied Cooter weigh? 1-4 kg ### How long does Florida Red-bellied Cooter live? 20-40 years ### How fast can Florida Red-bellied Cooter move? 1 km/h ### What does Florida Red-bellied Cooter eat? Mostly plants and algae, with some insects and fish for extra protein. ### How fast can Florida Red-bellied Cooter swim? 2 km/h ### Where is Florida Red-bellied Cooter usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Shark River Slough Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-river-slough-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Silver Springs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/silver-springs) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Florida Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/florida-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Monroe Lake Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monroe-lake-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District [View all places to see Florida Red-bellied Cooter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/florida-red-bellied-cooter) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Florida Red-bellied Cooter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/florida-red-bellied-cooter)