Red Bellied Cooter | Wildlife Wednesday | Broward County Parks

Описание: The red-bellied cooter is a large aquatic turtle known for its red belly and basking in the sun. It can be between 10 and 15 inches long and weight up to 10 pounds, with males being smaller than females. The red on the plastron (bottom shell) is more noticeable as a juvenile, and fades as the turtle grows. The carapace or the top part of their shell is usually brown or black with a pattern, and may have some red highlights. They have bright yellow stripes on the heads, arms, legs, and tails. It is an omnivore that feeds on snails, plants, worms, tadpoles, crayfish and insect larvae, although adults prefer a more plant-based diet. They live in freshwater ponds, streams, lakes, marshes – places that have water and aquatic plant life and are known to eat invasive plant species like the water-hyacinth.

As juveniles, birds, raccoons, alligators, and frogs prey upon the turtle. Red ants have also been known to consume the turtle eggs. Adult cooters sometimes lay their eggs in alligator nests so the female alligator will protect the eggs. Although the alligator is known to eat red-bellied cooters as they mature. After the eggs hatch, there is little to no parent involvement and other adult turtles may help them become social.