Suwannee cooter

Suwannee cooter
Suwannee cooters
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Emydidae
Subfamily: Deirochelyinae
Genus: Pseudemys
Species: P. suwanniensis

The Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys suwanniensis) is a species of turtle in the genus Pseudemys. The species is endemic to Florida, including in the Suwannee River.[1]

Conservation status

P. suwanniensis was hunted for its meat, but is now protected.[2]

Appearance

The carapace of P. suwanniensis is black in color, with yellow markings. The plastron is light orange or yellow with black markings. Adults can reach 17 inches (43.7 centimeters) in carapace length.

Diet

The diet of P. suwanniensis mainly consists of aquatic plants.[2]

References

  1. Ernst, C.H.; Lovich, J.E. (2009). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Second edition. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
  2. 1 2 Suwannee cooter Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Further reading

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