(Photo Credit J.D. Willson)

River Cooter
Pseudemys concinna

Size:  From 9 to 13 inches (23-33 cm) in length.
Description:  A large turtle characteristic of rivers. Distinguishing this turtle from the closely related Florida Cooter (Pseudemys floridana) and Redbelly Turtle (Pseudemys rubiventris) and from the Yellowbelly Slider (Trachemys scripta) can be difficult. On younger River Cooters concentric markings on its shell are usually visible, with a characteristic "C" on the second side scute.  However, on older individuals, this is often not visible. This turtle can be distinguished from the Slider by its much more flattened and flared shell and by its rounded chin (flattened in sliders). Also, the plastron (underside) is usually heavily marked with black and yellow and head markings are usually less prominent than in the slider. Florida Cooter lacks "C" shaped markings and Redbelly Turtle has reddish or orange underside and reddish ventricle bars on carapace, however distinguishing these three species is often best done based on habitat. River Cooters are found in rivers and streams while Florida Cooters usually inhabit wetlands, marshes, ponds, and other still waters. Redbelly turtles are restricted to coastal areas. Cooters are powerful swimmers and are often very wary and difficult to approach.  Females are usually larger than males.
Habitat:  Found mostly in fresh water rivers and large streams.
Range:  Only in the southeastern U.S.  They are found in the coastal and piedmont regions of North Carolina.
Diet:  River Cooters are mostly herbivorous and therefore feed on an abundance of aquatic flora.

River Cooter basking	Range of the River Cooter in the Carolinas and Virginia	close up of shell pattern of a river cooter, note "C" on second scute